Studies on the synthesis of cubic ZnS quantum dots, capping and optical-electrical characteristics

► Zinc acetate and sodium sulphide as reactants. Cubic QDs of size ∼3 nm in 1:3 reactant ratios with or without capping agent. ► At least 30 times smaller size while using microwave source instead of conventional heating source. ► Widening of band gap from 3.6 eV to 3.94 eV by reducing size of ZnS. ► Better conduction with lower activation energy in wide band gap ZnS. ► Thermionic emission mechanism for conduction phenomenon.