Facile synthesis of photoluminescent ZnS and ZnSe nanopowders

The solid state thermal, one pot, efficient chemical reaction between Zn and S or Se elements in a closed reactor at 650 degrees C/60 min under their autogenic pressure in an inert atmosphere yielded luminescent ZnS and ZnSe semiconducting nanopowders (NPs). Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy measurements confirmed the size and shape of the as formed ZnS and ZnSe NPs. The wide size distributions of ZnS and ZnSe NPs are confirmed by UV-vis and TEM measurements. The crystalline wurtzite phase of ZnS and face centered cubic phase of ZnSe NPs is revealed from XRD and HR-TEM measurements. The obtained Raman scattering bands also supports the formation of pure ZnS and ZnSe phases. At room temperature, a strong visible green emission centered at approximately 525 nm is measured for ZnS, while ZnSe NPs showed a broad red emission band extending from 550 to 760 nm. The putative reaction mechanism is based on the low melting and boiling points of reactants (Zn, S and Se) under their autogenic pressure in an inert atmosphere.