Synthesis, surface characterization and optical properties of 3-thiopropionic acid capped ZnS:Cu nanocrystals

3-Thiopropionic acid (TPA) capped ZnS:Cu nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized by simple aqueous method. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed the particle size to be 4·2 nm. Surface characterization of the nanocrystals by FTIR spectroscopy has been done and the structure for surface bound TPA based on spectral analysis was proposed. The optical studies were done using UV-VIS spectroscopy and particle size and diameter polydispersity index (DPI) were calculated. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum reveals emission related to the transition from conduction band of ZnS to t 2 level of Cu 2 + . Electron microscopy was also done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).