Control of the shell structure of ZnO–ZnS core-shell structure

Nanostructured ZnO–ZnS core-shell powders were synthesized through a solution method using a thioacetamide (TAA) solution in deionized water. ZnO powder and TAA solution were employed to supply zinc and sulfur ions to form the ZnO–ZnS core-shell structures. The structure of the ZnS shell was strongly affected by the mole concentration of the TAA, and the structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The optical properties of the nanostructured powders were also compared with those of pure ZnO powder. The ultraviolet (UV) emission was greatly enhanced compared to when pure ZnO powder was used in the nanostructured powder synthesized using the 0.5 M TAA solution, while the UV emission of that with the 0.05 M TAA solution was reduced. The green emission of the nanostructured powders was reduced compared to when the pure ZnO powder was used. The mechanism of the structural changes in the core-shell structures is proposed here and its effect on the luminescent properties is discussed.