Synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnS using biologically generated sulfide

This work describes the synthesis of ZnS powders in high yield and via a straightforward process, under ambient conditions (temperature and pressure), by adding to aqueous zinc (II) a nutrient solution containing biologically generated sulfide from sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The powders obtained as above were composed mainly of ZnS (sphalerite) nanoparticles (NP's) exhibiting a spheroidal morphology (20–30 nm). The NP's morphological properties and crystalline phase were not markedly altered by the SRB growth media composition neither by the presence of bacterial cells. The relevance of this method to obtain ZnS supported solid substrates has been demonstrated by performing the synthesis in the presence of TiO2 and SiO2 submicron particles.

► We synthesize ZnS powders in a simple, straightforward process using biologically generated sulfide ► The synthesised powders were chemically, mineralogically and morphologically characterized ► They are composed mainly of ZnS nanoparticles (sphalerite) with spheroid morphology ► We synthesize these same nanocrystals in the presence of submicron particles—TiO2 and SiO2.