Study of Sago starch-CdS nanocomposite films: fabrication, structure, optical and thermal properties.

A synthetic procedure for the preparation of nanocomposite films of sago starch and CdS nanoparticles was introduced. The films were characterized using optical, structural, and thermal techniques. The formation of nanostructured CdS in the starch matrix was confirmed by a blue shift in the onset of absorption in the UV-VIS spectra of the nanocomposites. The average size of the nanoparticles varied from 3.6 to 5 nm, depending on the initial concentration of cadmium acetate during the nanocomposite preparation. Fluorescence measurements of the sago-CdS nanocomposite film showed broad emission in the orange-red part of the spectrum. DSC and TGA analyses revealed significant effects of CdS nanoparticles on the thermal properties of the starch matrix.