Effect of pH on the structural and optical properties of ZnS nanoparticles embedded in PVA matrix

Abstract

ZnS nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix have been synthesised with different pH by using wet chemical methods at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicated that prepared nanoparticles with different pH show cubic phase. The average size variation of nanoparticles with pH estimated from the Debye-Scherrer equation and varying optical size by using absorption edge. Also, UV-Vis absorption results show a blue shift by variation of pH. The intensity of PL emission was found to be dependent on the pH of precursors and maximum of intensity related to pH=6. As a conclusion, pH plays vital role in improving PL intensity. It is also observed that particle size depends on the pH and a decrease in the size of particles is observed with the decrease of pH.