Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 March 2011
ZnS:Mn cubes, microspheres, and nanospheres were prepared by the solvothermal synthesis approach. All samples possessed the same zinc blende structure. Surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) exerts a major influence in directing the formation of these microstructures. By adding the CTAB into the reaction mixture, the cubes of the ZnS:Mn microstructures gradually dissolved to form larger microspheres. These microspheres are composed of an extensive growth of nanoparticles, which can be connected to each other. By increasing the concentrations of CTAB, these microspheres transformed into ZnS:Mn nanospheres. The photoluminescence emission showed a strong and broad peak centered at 594 nm for all samples due to the presence of 4T1 → 6A1 transition of the Mn2+ ion. A broad excitation peak centered at 263 and 327 nm is shown in all samples. Because the products show strong luminescent emissions and variety morphologies, they could be readily fabricated into devices for use in phosphor applications.