Evaluation of structural, morphological and optical properties of CdO nanostructures

Abstract Microwave synthesis method was adopted to prepare CdO nanoparticles using polyethylene glycol (PEG), NH3 and NaOH as a co-reagent. A systematic investigation by XRD, SEM, TEM and EDS has been undertaken to evaluate the role of co-reagents on the microstructural and morphological study of the metal oxide nanostructure obtained. The pH of the solution, determined by the co-reagent used, was the main parameter addressing the morphology of CdO nanostructures obtained. By using NH3 the growth of individual CdO particle is favored at the low pH of 9, likely due to low Cd supersaturation rate at this pH. On the other hand, the presence of NaOH as co-reagent increases pH to 11, enhancing Cd supersaturation and leading mainly to formation of nanowire aggregates. The optical and photoluminescence characteristics of the different CdO nanostructures synthesized have been also evaluated.