Fabrication of ZnS nanoparticle chains on a protein template

In the present study, we have exploited the properties of a fibrillar protein for the template synthesis of zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticle chains. The diameter of the ZnS nanoparticle chains was tuned in range of similar to 30 to similar to 165 nm by varying the process variables. The nanoparticle chains were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The effect of incubation temperature on the morphology of the nanoparticle chains was also studied.