High-resolution transmission electron microscopy study of twinned ZnS nanoparticles

The microstructural properties of twinned ZnS nanoparticles were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and the National Center for Electron Microscopy Simulation System. ZnS nanoparticles have a zinc blende structure with {111} twin boundaries. However, the HRTEM images that did not correspond to the lattice fringe of zinc blende were observed in certain directions. Interestingly, the HRTEM images matched with periodically twinned structures such as wurtzite 8H and 10H. To understand this phenomenon, an atomic model of the twinned zinc blende containing a (111) twin boundary was simulated. The simulated HRTEM images matched well with the experimental HRTEM images.