Alloyed Ag2SexS1-x quantum dots with red to NIR shift: The band gap tuning with dopant content for energy harvesting applications

Abstract

Alloyed quantum dots have pulled in a large consideration because of their fascination from visible to near infrared regime. In this work, quantum dots of alloyed Ag2SexS1-x (x = 0, 0.4, 0.6, 1.0) system are synthesized by making use of a simple intermediate temperature method. The structure and morphology of Ag2SexS1-x quantum dots are examined through X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction data indicates monoclinic and orthorhombic structure of Ag2SexS1-x quantum dots. The size and composition controlled optical bandgap of Ag2SexS1-x quantum dots is meticulously looked into by Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared absorption spectroscopy. The size of alloyed Ag2SexS1-x quantum dots varies from 3.5 nm to 4.8 nm. The bandgap of Ag2SexS1-x quantum dots has varied from 1.35 eV to 0.88 eV as calculated by Tauc plot. The observed values of bandgap indicate quantum confinement in two regimes-weak and strong confinement regimes. The results show that quantum confinement depends on both the size and composition of Ag2SexS1-x quantum dots. The alloying of Se to Ag2S has been confirmed using the Raman spectroscopy. These alloyed quantum dots might be reasonable for catching solar energy particularly from visible to NIR regime.