Characterization and optical properties of Ni²⁺ doped ZnS nanoparticles

In this work we synthesized undoped ZnS and ZnS:Ni nanoparticles by a simple chemical method, namely the chemical precipitation method. The structure and optical properties of the prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer and Fluorescence spectroscopy. XRD patterns showed that the ZnS and ZnS:Ni nanoparticles have zinc blende structure with the crystallite sizes of about 6-10 nm range. The value of optical band gap has been found to be in range 4.88- 3.93 eV. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the undoped sample exhibits emission in the blue region with multiple peaks under UV excitation. Ni²⁺ doped ZnS samples visible light emissions under the same UV excitation wavelength of 310 nm.