Synthesis and Characterization of Nanosized ZnS Confined in Ordered Mesoporous Silica

Abstract

Nanosized ZnS has been prepared inside MCM-41 hosts by two related schemes, both of which are derived from surface modification methods. The ZnS-containing MCM-41 samples with and without the functional groups (ethylenediamine groups in this case) were designated as ZnS−ED−MCM-41 and ZnS−MCM-41(cal), respectively. The ZnS−MCM-41 composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy, energy disperse spectra, N2 adsorption−desorption isotherms, UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectra, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The ZnS was mainly formed and retained in the channels of the MCM-41 host, and its growth was controlled by the channels. In contrast, the amount of ZnS on the external surface is much smaller. The existence of ZnS inside the MCM-41 hosts resulted in a considerable decrease in surface area, pore diameter, and pore volume, and a massive blue shift in the UV−vis spectra was observed. In comparison with the ZnS−MCM-41(cal) sample, a dramatic increase in...