SYNTHESIS OF QUANTUM-SIZE CADMIUM-ZINC SULFIDE PARTICLE-DOPED GLASSESBY THE SOL-GEL METHOD

The optical properties of extremely small particles of semiconductor m aterials provide a sensitive probe of the band structure in the materi als. The Sol-Gel process has been applied successfully to the preparat ion of small particle-size CdS-doped silica glasses such that quantum size effects are significant. Transparent and colorless gels were prep ared through the hydrolysis of a complex solution of Si(OC2H5)(4), (CH 3)(2)SO, Zn(CH3COO)(2) . 2H(2)O and Cd(CH3COO)(2) . 2H(2)O. These gels were heated at 350, 500 and 750 degrees C. The thermal treatments of samples were established by TDA/TGA analysis. By means of shift in opt ical absorption spectra, quantum size effects could be inferred in gla sses containing these calcogenide microcrystals.