Synthesis of ZnS ultrathin nanowires and photoluminescence with Mn2+ doping

We report on the synthesis of wurtzite ZnS and ZnS:Mn2+ ultrathin nanowires via a facile solvothermal process. The diameter of as-prepared nanowires was approximately 2nm, which was below the exciton Bohr radius of ZnS. The intrinsic crystallography of ZnS nanowires was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The optical properties of the prepared nanowires were investigated by UV–visible and photoluminescence spectra. The obtained ZnS nanowires showed an orange emission at 575nm after the doping with 1mol%, 2mol% and 5mol% Mn2+ ions. The ZnS nanowires with 2mol% Mn2+ produced the strongest emission with a quantum yield of 11.4%. Furthermore, the luminescent ZnS:Mn2+ nanowires were used to prepare an inorganic-polymeric hybrid material with the copolymer of polystyrene and poly(methylmethacrylate).