Synthesis of CdS nanocrystals by a microwave activated method and investigation of the photoluminescence and electroluminescence properties

We have synthesized CdS nanocrystals (NCs) by a microwave activated method. CdSO4 and Na2S2O3 were used as the precursors and thioglycolic acid (TGA) was used as capping agent molecule. The aqueous synthesis was based on the heat sensitivity of Na2S2O3. In this method, microwave irradiation creates the activation energy for dissociation of Na2S2O3 and leads to the CdS NCs formation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses demonstrated hexagonal phase CdS NCs with an average size around 3 nm for sample prepared at 5 min irradiation time. A band gap range of 3.38-2.89 eV was possible only by increasing the microwave irradiation time, corresponding to a 2.7-3.7 nm size. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed a white emission between 400 and 750 nm. The best attained PL quantum yield (QY) of the NCs was about 10%. Synthesized NCs were used as emissive layer in a light emitting device (LED) with ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVK/CdS-NCs/AL structure. Turn on voltage of fabricated device was about 7 V. The CIE color coordinate of the LED at (0.34, 0.43) demonstrated a near white light LED with an emission on green-yellow boundary of white.

► The method is microwave activated method. ► The method results in luminescent CdS NCs with sizes around 3 nm and surface trap state white luminescence. ► The method is very fast and synthesis process is done less than 5 min. ► PL QY of NCs is 10%. This amount is near to the obtained amount for chemically synthesized NCs. ► Synthesized NCs were used as emissive layer in a light emitting device with ITO/PEDOT-PSS/PVK/CdS/AL structure ► Fabricated device showed a white emission with (0.34, 0.43) CIE coordinates.