Structural and optical characterization of mechanochemically synthesized copper doped CdS nanopowders

Incorporation of copper into CdS crystals has been successfully prepared by mechanical alloying using a planetary ball mill. The powders are prepared with different milling times at 300 rpm with various Cu/Cd ratios from 0.1 to 25 at%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of milled powders showed peaks corresponding to hexagonal structure with a detection of phase transition to a cubic structure with increasing milling time. Grain sizes varied from 21 to 30 nm corresponding to different Cu/Cd ratios. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images reveal agglomerated materials with particle size of approximately 28 nm (5 Cu at%) and layered structures caused due to the milling process. Powder composition by energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) reveals the incorporation of copper into the CdS. Micro Raman spectroscopy showed peaks approximately at 301 and 585 cm−1 corresponding to first and second order scatterings of longitudinal optical phonon mode. The LO mode at 301 cm−1 shifted towards lower wave number due to decrease of grain size by increase in milling time. From high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), the dominant phase of individual CdS nanocrystals was found to be hexagonal structure along with cubic structure.