Preparation and Characterization of Hybrid Graphene-ZnS Nanoparticles

Abstract

Hybrid Graphene-ZnS nanopaticles (G-ZnS NPs) were prepared by using a solvothermal method. A dispersion of graphite oxide (GO) and zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O) in dimethl sulfoxide (DMSO) reacted at 180 °C for 12 h in a Telfon-lined stainless steel autoclave. In the reaction, DMSO serves as a sulphide source as well as a reducing agent, resulting formation of the hybrid G-ZnS NPs in one-step. Hybrid G-ZnS NPs were characterized by using a powder X-ray diffractometer, a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, a transmission electron microscope, a UV-vis spectrophotometer and a fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. In the FTIR spectra, the GO related stretching bands of C-O and carboxyl groups are not observed in the spectra of G-ZnS, suggesting that the GO sheets were reduced to graphene sheets. In the TEM images, it is observed that the ZnS nanoparticles with an average size of 23 nm are attached onto the graphene sheets. The UV-vis absorption spectrum of the G-ZnS NPs dispersed in ethanol has an absorption peak of G at 261 nm and a weak shoulder of ZnS NPs around 320 nm. The broadening and weakening of the peak of ZnS NPs at 320 nm arises from the interparticle coupling effect. Under excitation at 225 nm, a peak around 386 nm and other weaker bands appear in the fluorescence spectrum of the G-ZnS. The band at 386 nm is attributed to zinc vacancies.