Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is one of the first semiconductors discovered. It has traditionally shown remarkable versatility and promise for novel fundamental properties and diverse applications. The nanoscale morphologies of ZnS have been proven to be one of the richest among all inorganic semiconductors. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research activities related to ZnS nanostructures. We begin with a historical background of ZnS, description of its structure, chemical and electronic properties, and its unique advantages in specific potential applications. This is followed by in-detail discussions on the recent progress in the synthesis, analysis of novel properties and potential applications, with the focus on the critical experiments determining the electrical, chemical and physical parameters of the nanostructures, and the interplay between synthetic conditions and nanoscale morphologies. Finally, we highlight the recent achievements regarding the improvement of ZnS novel properties and finding prospective applications, such as field emitters, field effect transistors (FETs), p-type conductors, catalyzators, UV-light sensors, chemical sensors (including gas sensors), biosensors, and nanogenerators. Overall this review presents a systematic investigation of the ‘synthesis-property-application’ triangle for the diverse ZnS nanostructures.

ZnS nanostructures: From synthesis to applications

Silver ions (Ag+) and its compounds are highly toxic to microorganisms, exhibiting strong biocidal effects on many species of bacteria but have a low toxicity toward animal cells. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were biosynthesized using aqueous extract of Chlorella vulgaris as reducing agent and size of SNPs synthesized ranged between 15 and 47 nm. SNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier infrared spectroscopy, and analyzed for its antibacterial property against human pathogens. This approach of SNPs synthesis involving green chemistry process can be considered for the large-scale production of SNPs and in the development of biomedicines.

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Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: characterization and determination of antibacterial potency

ZnSe nanostructures: Synthesis, properties and applications

Fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) have the potential to revolutionize biological imaging, but their use has been limited by difficulties in obtaining nanocrystals that are biocompatible. To address this problem, we encapsulated individual nanocrystals in phospholipid block–copolymer micelles and demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo imaging. When conjugated to DNA, the nanocrystal-micelles acted as in vitro fluorescent probes to hybridize to specific complementary sequences. Moreover, when injected into Xenopus embryos, the nanocrystal-micelles were stable, nontoxic (<5 × 109 nanocrystals per cell), cell autonomous, and slow to photobleach. Nanocrystal fluorescence could be followed to the tadpole stage, allowing lineage-tracing experiments in embryogenesis.

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In vivo imaging with quantum dots encapsulated in phospholipid micelles

Photocatalytic hydrogen production using Fe2O3-based core shell nano particles with ZnS and CdS

The ZnS semiconducting nanoparticles were synthesized by simple chemical reaction of ZnCl2 and Na2S in aqueous solution. The main advantage of this method is the use of non toxic precursors and water is used as solvent. The as-prepared ZnS nanoparticles have average size of 12 nm. The structural, morphological, chemical composition and optical properties of the nanoparticles have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultra Violet Spectroscopy (UV) and Photoluminescence (PL).

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OPTICAL, STRUCTURAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF BEAN- LIKE ZnS NANOSTRUCTURES BY AQUEOUS CHEMICAL METHOD

Structural, morphological and optical properties of chelating ligand passivated ZnSe nanorods

The ZnS semiconducting nano particles were synthesized by solid state reaction method using Zinc acetate dehydrate and sodium sulfide as precursors at room temperature. The as-prepared ZnS nanoparticles have average particle size of 11 nm. Strain and the dislocation density were estimated by Stokes-Wilson formula. The structural features, chemical composition and optical properties of the nanoparticles were investigated by XRay Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultra Violet spectroscopy (UV) and Photoluminescence (PL) studies. The optical properties of the ZnS nanoparticles are also discussed.

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STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ZnS NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED BY SOLID STATE REACTION METHOD

In this present work, pure and transition metal ions (Ni, Fe and co-doped Ni–Fe) doped SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a simple chemical co-precipitation method. Transition metal ions (Ni, Fe and co-doped Ni–Fe) were doped in order to study the influence of structural and optical properties. The synthesized samples were analyzed by using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, UV–Visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. SnO2 crystallites were found to exhibit tetragonal rutile structure with space group P42/mnm (136) with average particle size in the range of 20–30 nm. Also confirmed that all the doped metal ions were incorporated to SnO2. The UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy revealed a significant red shift in the absorbing band edge due to increase in the amount of Ni, Fe and co-doped Ni–Fe contents. The SEM image shows the morphology of pure and doped (Fe, Ni and Fe–Ni co-doped) SnO2 NPs with large spherical shapes. In FT-IR spectra, the strong peaks are attributed to the antisymmetric stretching mode of O-Sn-O. The PL spectrum exhibits a strong blue emission peak. The antimicrobial studies were investigated against standard bacterial strains and enhanced anti-bacterial activity in doped and co-doped samples was observed, which can be attributed to the ROS and the particles were in the nanoscale regime.

Studies on structural and optical properties of pure and transition metals (Ni, Fe and co-doped Ni–Fe) doped tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles for anti-microbial activity

S. Sasi Florence

Papers

OPTICAL, STRUCTURAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF BEAN- LIKE ZnS NANOSTRUCTURES BY AQUEOUS CHEMICAL METHOD

Structural, morphological and optical properties of chelating ligand passivated ZnSe nanorods

STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ZnS NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED BY SOLID STATE REACTION METHOD

Studies on structural and optical properties of pure and transition metals (Ni, Fe and co-doped Ni–Fe) doped tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles for anti-microbial activity

Structural, morphological and optical properties of CTAB capped ZnSe nanoflakes