PbO/CdO/ZnO and PbS/CdS/ZnS nanocomposites: Studies on optical, electrochemical and thermal properties

Novel hexagonal ring structured PbO/CdO/ZnO and spherical shaped PbS/CdS/ZnS nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by chemical method in air. Structural, morphological, chemical composition, optical, electrochemical and thermal properties were investigated using different analytical techniques. In comparison with the PbO/CdO/ZnO, PbS/CdS/ZnS nanocomposites showed well-defined cyclic voltammetric response. Optical absorption as well as emission peak position of the annealed nanocomposites was significantly red shifted compared with the as-prepared samples. To prevent the toxic effect of the Pb-Cd, the environment friendly Zn was coated on the surface of binary composites. The combined electrochemical and optical experiments indicated that PbO/CdO/ZnO and PbS/CdS/ZnS nanocomposites can be considered as efficient candidates for optical and electrochemical applications. Phase transition, decomposition and stability of the nanocomposites were identified by thermal study.