Synthesis and characterization of zinc sulfide nanostructures

ZnS nanoparticles and nanorods were synthesized by a solvothermal process. The particle sizes of the ZnS nanostructures were varied within 2-8nm. The diameter of the ZnS nanorods varied within 12-15nm and their length varied within 100-200 nm. Solvent played an important role in determining the morphology of the ZnS nanostructures. The products were characterized by XRD, EDAX, SEM, TEM and PL measurements. The nanostructures were crystallized with hexagonal wurtzite ZnS phase. The room temperature photoluminescence measurements showed a broad UV-blue emission centered at ∼400nm, which could be attributed to the defect-related transitions. Another green emission band at ∼497 nm was observed for the ZnS nanorods, which could be attributed to some defect centers related to zinc vacancy.