Formation of ZnS nanostructures by a simple way of thermal evaporation

Abstract

The mass synthesis of ZnS nanobelts, nanowires, and nanoparticles has been achieved by a simple method of thermal evaporation of ZnS powders onto silicon substrates in the presence of Au catalyst. The temperature of the substrates and the concentration of ZnS vapor were the critical experimental parameters for the formation of different morphologies of ZnS nanostructures. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show that the diameters of as-prepared nanowires were 30–70 nm. The UV emission at 374 nm is probably related to the exciton emission, while the mechanism of blue emission at 443 nm is probably mainly due to the presence of various surface states.