Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of Ag2S/PVA and CuS/PVA nanocomposite

Nanospherical Ag2S/PVA and nanoneedles of CuS/PVA composite have been prepared by sonochemical irradiation of a 10% ethylenediamine-water solution of elemental sulfur, silver nitrate, or copper acetate in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol. The particle sizes are 25 and 225 nm for Ag2S/PVA and CuS/PVA nanocomposites, respectively. These nanocomposite materials are characterized using analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and diffuse reflection spectroscopy. A band gap of 1.05 and 2.08 eV are estimated for Ag2S/PVA and CuS/PVA nanocomposites, respectively. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.