Structural, optical and magnetic studies on non-aqueous synthesized CdS:Mn nanomaterials

Manganese doped cadmium sulfide nanomaterials with different Mn concentrations were successfully synthesized using non-aqueous solution method and have been characterized by X-ray diffraction method (XRD), electron microscopic method (HRTEM), UV–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. X-ray diffraction study revealed the cubic zinc blende structure of CdS:Mn as primary phase and cubic structured α-MnS as secondary phase. The nanostructured particles with sizes ranging from 15 to 20 nm were confirmed by morphological characterization (HRTEM). The optical absorption spectra of the materials exhibited varying blue shifts in their characteristic λmax region as a function of Mn in CdS host material. The presence of metal sulfur bonding and weak interaction between the anion (S2−) and cations (Cd2+ and Mn2+) were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopic data. An appreciable magnetic behavior (super paramagnetic state) as the result of spin moment caused by Mn2+ in the crystal structure of CdS:Mn was identified by VSM.

► CdS:Mn2+ nanomaterials are prepared by wet chemical method for different Mn concentrations. ► Monodisperse cubic zinc blende phase nanostructured Cd1−xMnxS and cubic MnS secondary phase are identified from XRD. ► The strong blue shift observed in optical analysis is allied with size and dopant concentration. ► Weak Cd2+ interaction is witnessed from FT-IR analysis. ► Variation in the magnetic properties of CdS:Mn2+ nanomaterial is estimated with respect to dopant concentrations..