Rational synthetic strategy: From ZnO nanorods to ZnS nanotubes

We demonstrate here that ZnS nanotubes can be successfully synthesized via a facile conversion process from ZnO nanorods precursors. During the conversion process, ZnO nanorods are first prepared as sacrificial templates and then converted into tubular ZnO/ZnS core/shell naonocomposites through a hydrothermal sulfidation treatment by using thioacetamide (TAA) as sulfur source. ZnS nanotubes are finally obtained through the removal of ZnO cores of tubular ZnO/ZnS core/shell naonocomposites by KOH treatment. The photoluminescence (PL) characterization of the as-prepared products shows much enhanced PL emission of tubular ZnO/ZnS core/shell nanocomposites compared with their component counterparts. The probable mechanism of conversion process is also proposed based on the experimental results.