Preparation and physicochemical properties of pure and O2- doped nanocomposites based on cadmium and manganese sulfides

Pure and O2- (2.5/5.0 wt%) doped (CdS)1−x(MnS2)x nanocomposites (with x = 0.0/0.25/0.50/0.75/1.0) have been (for the first time) prepared by a simple solvothermal method (with pulsed microwave heating) and characterized structurally, chemically and physically (thermally, electrically, optically and magnetically) by adopting the available techniques. The prepared samples (except the pure and doped CdS) are found to be multi-phased nanocomposites, and are paramagnetic in nature. Average crystallite sizes obtained are within 5.6 and 13.9 nm, and the thermal stability has been found to increase in proportion with the amount of CdS present. Bandgap energies obtained are within 1.8 and 2.2 eV, and significant photoluminescence peaks have been observed; DC and AC electrical measurements along with complex impedance analysis have provided useful results. The present study indicates that the prepared nanocomposites (based on CdS and MnS2) are expected to find utility in optoelectronic and energy devices.