Structural characterization and photoluminescence properties of pure and Ag(1–5%)-doped (Cd0.95Zn0.5)S phosphors synthesized by solid-state reaction methods

Pure and silver-doped cadmium zinc sulphide phosphors have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction methods under a nitrogen atmosphere. The influence of silver concentration on the crystal structure and the luminescence of solid-state synthesized (Cd0.95Zn0.5)S crystals were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX) and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern of silver-doped (Cd0.95Zn0.5)S revealed a hexagonal crystalline phase. The morphology of the samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which confirmed the microcrystalline behaviour and good connectivity with grain. The photoluminescence spectra were obtained by irradiating the samples with 345-nm UV light. The effects of silver concentration on the photoluminescence spectra of the prepared phosphors were investigated in detail.