Synthesis and luminescence properties of ZnS and metal (Mn, Cu)-doped-ZnS ceramic powder

ZnS and metal (Mn, Cu)-doped-ZnS were successfully prepared by wet chemical synthetic route. The understanding of substituted metal ions (Mn, Cu) into ZnS leads to transfer the luminescent centre by small amount of metal dopant (Mn, Cu). Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction were used to determine chemical bonding and crystal structure, respectively. It showed that small amount of metal (Mn, Cu) can be completely substituted into ZnS lattice. X-ray fluorescence was used to confirm the existence of metal-doped ZnS. Scanning electron microscope revealed that their particles exhibits blocky particle with irregular sharp. Laser confocal microscope and photoluminescence spectroscopy showed that ZnS and metal-doped-ZnS exhibited intense, stable, and tunable emission covering the blue to red end of the visible spectrum. ZnS, Mn-doped-ZnS and Cu-doped-ZnS generated blue, yellow and green color, respectively.

Graphical abstractThe fluorescence image of ZnS particle without excitation and the fluorescence image of ZnS particle with excitation (A) ZnS (B) Mn-doped-ZnS (C) Cu-doped-ZnS (D) Mn–Cu-codoped-ZnS.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► ZnS and metal (Mn, Cu)-doped ZnS can be successfully synthesized via wet chemical synthetic route. ► The use of ZnS and metal (Mn, Cu)-doped ZnS plays an important role in photoluminescence application. ► The light emission of ZnS can be altered depending on metal dopant.