Synthesis and band-gap photoluminescence from cadmium phosphide nano-particles

Cadmium phosphide (Cd3P2) when synthesized from the direct reaction of cadmium metal salt and tri-octylphosphine (TOP) in presence of sodium metal showed band-gap emissions with engineered band-gap energy in between 2.85 and 2.75 eV. Optical studies showed pronounced quantum confinement effect from nano-particles so prepared. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of black powders revealed hexagonal Cd2P3 crystal structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed mixed morphology of fluffy particles likely to be amorphous in nature. Far-infrared (far-IR) spectroscopy revealed peaks associated with (Cd3P2).