Self-assembled highly symmetrical ZnS nanostructures and their cathodoluminescence

► ZnS nanostructures with highly structural symmetry were synthesized through a self-assembled thermal evaporation process. ► TEM analysis indicated that the ZnS nanocrystals are single crystal without structural defects. ► CL measurements demonstrated that the ZnS nanostructures exhibited strong and uniform band-gap emission centered at 337 nm, holding promising application in electronic nano-devices.