Facile synthesis of ZnS and derived quantum dots from ZIF-8 precursor: Synthesis, characterization and optical properties

A new method for the facile synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) with MOF as precursor is reported herein. As a proof of concept, ZnS QDs were synthesized by sulfuring zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles under mild conditions without high temperature and highly toxic reagents. Also, ZnS/CdS and ZnS/CuS QDs were obtained through facile cation exchange strategy with the ZnS QDs. These metal sulfides QDs exhibit tunable optical absorption and band gap by modulating the metal components.