Zn incorporation in CdS nanoparticles in glass

Abstract

We combine Raman scattering, optical absorption, and x-ray spectroscopies to determine the Zn content in $(\mathrm{ZnS}{)}_{x}(\mathrm{CdS}{)}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ nanometer-sized semiconductor particles precipitated in glass. We propose that the evolution of the Zn/Cd concentration ratio in particles can be understood in terms of thermochemical equilibrium between the nanoparticles and reactants dissolved in the host glass. The growth process results in differential depletion of reactants, leading to an evolution of concentration ratio as the average particle radius increases.