Thermokinetic study on growth process of CdS nanocrystals by in situ microcalorimetry

In situ microcalorimetry was used to investigate the energy evolution during CdS nanocrystal growth process. It can provide important information for controlling crystal growth. The CdS nanospheres were synthesized in the glycol-water system at room temperature. The energy change of CdS nanocrystal growth process was measured by a microcalorimeter. The microcalorimetric curve shows a strong exothermic peak. On the basis of the experimental result, the rate constant and the activation Gibbs energy have been obtained. The CdS nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and photoluminescence spectra. The morphology evolution can be well connected with the energy change.