Synthesis of ZnS Nanoflowers by Composite-Hydroxide-Mediated Approach

• Published in: Journal of superconductivity and novel magnetism 2010-08, Vol.23 (6), p.901-903
• Main Authors: Xi, Yi, Hu, Chenguo, Feng, Bin, Wang, Xue, Zheng, Chunhua, He, Xiaoshan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from solid phases (including multiphase diffusion and recrystallization); Magnetic Materials; Magnetism; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Nanocomposites; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanocrystals and nanoparticles; Nanomaterials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanoscale materials: clusters, nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanocrystals; Nanostructure; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures; Original Paper; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Strongly Correlated Systems; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Superconductivity; Synthesis; Zinc sulfides
• ISSN: 1557-1939; 1557-1947
• DOI: 10.1007/s10948-009-0642-y

Zinc sulfide nanoflowers are synthesized by the composite-hydroxide-mediated (CHM) method, using molten composite hydroxides as a reaction solvent, sodium sulfide and zinc nitrate hexahydrate as reactants at temperature of 200 °C in the absence of organic dispersant or capping agents. The XRD spectrum of the as-synthesized sample indicates a cubic ZnS with lattice group and lattice constant a =5.318 Å. The scan electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy display its good crystallization and flower shape with diameter of 800–1000 nm. The photoluminescence results reveal that the ZnS nanocrystal has a band gap of 3.4 eV. The strong blue emission centered at 440 nm demonstrates the existence of defect states. This CHM approach provides a useful route for the synthesis of ZnS crystals, which may be extended to synthesize other II–VI semiconductors.