Cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence from ZnS thin films deposited by novel seeded hydrothermal route

ZnS thin films have been synthesized by hydrothermal route on seeded glass and silicon substrates at various temperatures. The seeded substrates were prepared by RF magnetron sputtering technique. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic studies confirmed the good crystallinity and proper phase formation of the synthesized films. Synthesis temperature played an important role in improving crystallinity of the samples. Morphological information and the particle size were obtained from the field emission scanning electron microscopic measurement. Bonding information was obtained from FTIR studies. Determination of the band gap from the UV–vis-NIR spectrophotometric measurement showed that it decreased from 3.48 to 3.23 eV with increase of particle dimensions. The samples exhibited intense cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence while the blue emission intensity varied with increase in synthesis temperature.