Fabrication of novel ZnS/ZnAl2S4 nanocomposite using a facile solvothermal route

Novel ZnS/ZnAl₂S₄ nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via a surfactant-free solvothermal method using propylene glycol as a solvent. This method is mild, convenient, cheap and effective. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescene spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the ZnS/ZnAl₂S₄ nanocomposites and the bare ZnS nanorods. The results show that the nanocomposites were built up from a zinc blend ZnS nanorod core and wurzite ZnAl₂S₄ shell. Due to the PL spectra, the presence of ZnAl₂S₄ shell on ZnS nanorod can dramatically change optical properties of the nanocomposites. In addition, the formation mechanism of the ZnS/ZnAl₂S₄ nanocomposites was also discussed.