The synthesis of ZnS:Mn2+ nano-particles by solid-state method at low temperature and their photoluminescence characteristics

ZnS:Mn2+ nano-crystal phosphor is synthesized for the first time using solid-state method at low temperature from acetate and sodium sulfide. The structure, morphology of the nano-particles and the photoluminescence properties have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the excitation and emission spectra (PL). With about 6-nm crystal size, the ZnS:Mn2+ nano-particles show zinc-blende structure and have the strong luminescence emission at 580 nm in which the blue shift can be observed. This can be attribute to quantum size effect due to small particle size. Mn2+ is activated under excitation and show a strong orange luminescence emission due to the substitute and homogenized distribution of Mn2+ ions in the ZnS crystal lattice. This low temperature solidstate method could be expediently used to fabricate ZnS:Mn2+ nano-particles phosphor materials and luminescence devices. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.