Large-scale synthesis well-dispersed ZnS microspheres and their photoluminescence, photocatalysis properties

Large-scale and well-dispersed ZnS microspheres were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using ZnSO4∙7H2O and SC(NH2)2 as main original reactant and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)(Mr ≈ 10,000) as the surfactant. The products were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The growth process involves a special oriented aggregation of PVP stabilized ZnS nanoparticles into microspheres of 1.5 ~ 2.0 μm in sizes. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared ZnS microsphere was evaluated by using methylene blue (MB) as a model organic compound. The optical properties of the products were also examined by means of photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.