Preparation of Fine Particles of ZnS-CdS Solid Solution by the Spray-Pyrolysis

Ultrasonic spray-pyrolysis method was applied to the preparation of fine particles of solid solution in the system ZnS-CdS. An aqueous solution of zinc nitrate, cadmium nitrate and thiourea was used as a starting solution. Morphology and crystallinity of the produced particles were examined as a function of preparation conditions and their composition. Spherical particles of a hexagonal phase were obtained by the pyrolysis at around 700°C. The size of the obtained particles was distributed in the range from 0.3 to 1.5μm; each particle was found to consist of much finer crystallites. Lattice constants of the particles varied linearly with the composition, showing that solid solution particles were formed in the whole composition range of ZnS-CdS.