Formation of CdS nanoparticles in the matrix of silicate glass and its optical properties

Abstract

CdS nanoparticles of an average diameter of ~2.7 nm have been synthesized in silicate glass by two stage heat treatment. As was demonstrated using the methods of spectrophotometry and luminescence in the ultraviolet and visible optical ranges, semiconductor phase nuclei were formed at the first stage of thermal treatment, and they grew at the second stage. The image of the spatial distribution of CdS nanoparticles in the glass network has been obtained by computer simulation. The calculated pair distribution function revealed that the average distance between nanoparticles was ~15 nm, which appears sufficient to isolate them from each other in the dielectric matrix and to ensure reliable confinement of electrons inside each nanoparticle.