Role of reactant concentration and identity of added cation in controlling emission from post-synthetically modified terbium incorporated zinc sulfide nanoparticles: an avenue for the detection of lead(ii) cations

• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra02403k
• Publication Date: 2018-05-16T14:33:54Z
• Authors: Saoni Rudra; Gouranga H. Debnath; Prasun Mukherjee
• Keywords: Terbium; Zinc sulfide

This work reports the photophysical properties of 1-thioglycerol capped hydrophilic terbium cation incorporated (doped) zinc sulfide [Zn(Tb)S] nanoparticles, which have been post-synthetically modified using Pb2+ [Zn(Tb)S/Pb] under ambient conditions with : [Pb2+] = 1 10-5-1 10, essentially providing a scenario low to heavy co-doping and ultimately possibility forming material different chemical identity. The effects selected concentrations [M n+] 10-2 also evaluated for post-synthetic addition Hg2+, Cd2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ K+. broad nanoparticle sharp Tb3+ emission dependence on relative reactant concentration, identity playing significant role. underlying processes rationalized based interplay among (i) exchange, (ii) modification structural nanoparticles without necessarily exchanging cations (iii) enhancement dopants. In cases where is apparent, all studied demonstrate an optical antenna effect, thus accessing lower concentration regime compared in bulk environments. results presented provide avenue detection metal ions general particular, limit that at least range sub-ppm, either ZnS or emission, respectively. strategy provides combine extremely sensitive easily accessible analytical technique photoluminescence spectroscopy, reactions semiconductor can be performed less experimental demand, time-gated measurement related longer luminescence lifetime (iv) simultaneous use from same assembly, helping eliminate false positive results.