Characterization and Photovoltaic Studies of Capped ZnS, CdS and Cd1-xZnxS (x=0.025) Nanoparticles

Abstract

Capped ZnS, Cd1-xZnxS (x=0.025) and CdS nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by co-precipitation method using mercaptoethanol as capping agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and optical absorption measurements were performed to characterize their structural and optical properties. The lattice constants and average crystallite size of cubic phase of capped ZnS, Cd1-xZnxS and CdS NPs calculated from the XRD measurement. The quantum confinement effect on the NPs has been observed in the optical analysis. In addition, it is seen that the luminescence band of Cd1-xZnxS NPs enhances with the presence of Zn content. The incident photon to electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) and current density (J) - voltage (V) measurements exhibited that Capped Cd1-xZnxS (x=0.025) NPs coated on the TiO2 NWs has better performance compare to capped ZnS and CdS NPs on the TiO2 NWs. Capped Cd1-xZnxS (x=0.025) NPs can be promising material to improve the solar cell performance.