Synthesis and Photoluminescence of Nanostructures Based on Zinc, Cadmium, and Manganese Sulfides in a Polyacrylate Matrix

The photoluminescence of nanostructures based on zinc, cadmium, and manganese sulfides is studied in relation to the conditions of synthesis and doping in a (poly)methyl methacrylate (PMMA) medium. Photoluminescence excitation is defined by interband electronic transitions in the semiconductor structure, by the absorption of optical radiation energy at structural defects in the crystals, and by energy transfer to the excited energy levels of Mn2+ ions. The luminescence signal results from recombination processes at the levels of structural defects mainly at the surface of particles and from 4T1 → 6A1 electronic transitions between the intrinsic energy levels of Mn2+ ions. Based on variations observed in the photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectra of PMMA/(Zn, Cd, Mn)S composites, some inferences about the structure of the particles are made. It is shown that their photoluminescence is influenced by the distribution of Mn2+ ions in the structure of the layers and at the surface of particles.