Synthesis and characterization of zinc sulphide nanoparticles prepared by mechanochemical route

•We synthesized ZnS nanoparticles by mechanochemical route.•The crystallite size is found to be in 4–7 nm range.•The value of optical band gap has been found to be in range 4.04–4.6 eV.•Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the samples exhibits a blue light emission.

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles have been synthesized by the mechanochemical route. The prepared nanoparticles have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), Ultraviolet–visible–near infrared (UV–Vis–NIR) spectrophotometer and photoluminescences (PLs) spectrophotometer. The crystallite size of as prepared nanoparticles are found to be in the 4–7 nm range. EDAX spectrum confirmed the composition of ZnS sample. The value of optical band gap has been found to be in the range 4.04–4.6 eV. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the samples exhibits a blue light emission under UV excitation wavelength of 280 nm. Thermal analysis studied with the help of Differential thermal analysis (DTA), Differential thermogravimetric (DTG) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Graphical abstractFigure shows the three diffraction peaks at 2θ values 28.6°, 47.7° and 56.3°. The peaks are appearing due to reflection from the (1 1 1), (2 2 0) and (3 1 1) planes of the cubic phase of the ZnS. The obtained peak positions correspond to zinc blended type patterns for all the samples. The broadening of the XRD pattern of the prepared ZnS sample takes place due to the nanocrystalline nature of the sample. The crystallite size of the ZnS nanoparticle as calculated by using Scherrer equation is in the range 4–7 nm.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide