A Study of the Photoluminescence Spectra of AgInS2/ZnS Nanocrystals under γ-Irradiation

Abstract

The influence of different doses of γ-radiation from a ¹³⁷Cs source on photoluminescence of nanocrystals of the Ag–In–S system with a shell of wider-gap ZnS semiconductor and without it has been investigated. The dynamics of change in the nanocrystal photoluminescence depending on the γ-irradiation dose is presented. It is established that nanoparticles of the AgInS₂/ZnS system retain their photoluminescence properties and colloidal stability at the absorbed dose up to 6 × 10³ Gy (with respect to water). The residual photoluminescence is retained until the absorbed dose is 10⁶ Gy (with respect to H₂O). It is shown that AgInS₂/ZnS nanocrystals can be used in medical and biological studies, which call for enhanced resistance to γ-radiation.