Solvothermal synthesis of hollow ZnS spheres

Mono-dispersed semiconductor ZnS hollow spheres with the diameter of 300–500 nm and the shell thickness of about 100–150 nm have been synthesized successfully by solvothermal method from ethanol solution in the presence of a special surfactant—quaternary ammonium salt of 2-undecyl-1-dithioureido-ethyl-imidazoline (SUDEI) made in our lab. The mono-dispersed ZnS hollow spheres are characterized by XRD, size distribution investment, UV–vis, TEM, and SEM, respectively. The UV–vis measurement indicates that there is a broad absorption at 210–280 nm, which is likely to be caused by “hollow-effect.” A growth mechanism of ZnS hollow spheres has also been put forward and discussed.