Synthesis and characterization of zinc sulphide nanoparticles prepared by mechanochemical route

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles have been synthesized by the mechanochemical route. The prepared nanoparticles have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectrophotometer and photoluminescences (PLs) spectrophotometer. The crystallite size of as prepared nanoparticles are found to be in the 4-7 nm range. EDAX spectrum confirmed the composition of ZnS sample. The value of optical band gap has been found to be in the range 4.04-4.6 eV. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the samples exhibits a blue light emission under UV excitation wavelength of 280 nm. Thermal analysis studied with the help of Differential thermal analysis (DTA), Differential thermogravimetric (DTG) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.