Preparation and optical properties of alloyed ZnxCd1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles

Zn_xCd_1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles were synthesized via a colloidal route by reacting zinc and cadmium ions with sulfide ions, followed by coating with alginate. The crystal structure, morphology, size and optical properties of the core/shell nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV/vis and photoluminescent spectra, respectively. The Zn_xCd_1‐xS nanoparticles are spherical and have a cubic structure with a mean crystalline size of 2–4 nm. The band gap of Zn_xCd_1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles increases with increasing Zn/Cd molar ratio, and the UV/vis absorption blue‐shifts correspondingly. Two emissions related to zinc and sulfide ion vacancies were observed for the Zn_xCd_1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles due to the surface changes from the alginate coating. A cadmium‐related emission was observed for both the uncovered Zn_xCd_1‐xS and Zn_xCd_1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles, which has a significant blue‐shift with increasing Zn/Cd molar ratio. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.