Synthesis and luminescence properties of Ag2S and PbS clusters in zeolite A

Zeolite A provides a suitable environment to host Ag2S and PbS clusters, so that spectroscopic investigations on very small particles are possible. The Ag2S monomer is colorless and shows photoluminescence at 490 nm with a lifetime of 300 micros, while the absorption and luminescence of Ag4S2 and larger clusters are red-shifted. The properties of these Ag2S/zeolite A materials depend on the co-cations. Results for Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ are reported. Excitation energy transfer between Ag2S and Ag4S2 has been studied in materials containing Ca2+ co-cations. PbS particles can be prepared by the same method as Ag2S in the cavities of zeolite A. The PbS monomers obtained are yellow and show photoluminescence at 570 nm, with a lifetime of 700 ns.