Synthesis and characterization of VO2+ doped ZnO–CdS composite nanopowder

VO2+ doped ZnO–CdS composite nanopowder has been synthesized by chemical precipitation method. The prepared sample has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, photoluminescence (PL), optical absorption and EPR spectroscopy. From XRD pattern, average crystallite size is about 18 nm. SEM and TEM images showed sphere like structures. FT-IR spectrum indicates the presence of fundamental modes of ZnO, CdS and other functional groups. The PL spectrum of VO2+ doped ZnO–CdS composite nanopowder exhibits UV, blue and green emissions. Optical and EPR studies revealed the tetragonal compressed octahedral site symmetry for VO2+ ions. The bonding between VO2+ and its ligands is ionic.