Water-induced stabilization of ZnS nanoparticles

Surface states become important in particles with reduced size as the surface to volume ratio increases. Here we provide direct evidence of water-induced structure buildup and stabilization of nanocrystalline ZnS. The ZnS nanoparticles, prepared employing a non-equilibrium route, provide an ideal platform to investigate microscopic details of water induced structural transformation and thus demonstrate the role of S–H interactions in the time-evolution of crystalline behaviour in these particles. The colossal changes observed make these materials ideal for water sensing.