The syntheses and structures of Zn(II) heterocyclic piperidine and tetrahydroquinoline dithiocarbamates and their use as single source precursors for ZnS nanoparticles

We report the synthesis and single X-ray structures of bis(dipiperidinyldithio-carbamato)zinc(II) and bis(ditetrahydroquinolinyldithiocarbamato)zinc(II) complexes. The complexes were thermolysed in hexadecylamine (HDA) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) at different reaction temperatures to produce HDA and TOPO capped ZnS nanoparticles. The microstructure and morphology of the as-prepared ZnS nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Predominantly close to spherical shaped particles were observed in the TEM images of all samples. The optical properties of the particles studied by UV–Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy showed evidence of quantum confinement.

Graphical abstractThe single X-ray structures of bis(dipiperidinyldithiocarbamato)zinc(II). bis(Ditetrahydroquinolinyldithiocarbamato) zinc(II) complexes are reported. The complexes have been used as precursors for ZnS nanoparticles. Both complexes gave close to spherical and elongated ZnS particles which show quantum confinement effects.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide