In this work, Mn2+-doped ZnS nanorods were synthesized
by a facile hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure, and composition
of the as-prepared samples were investigated. The temperature-dependent
photoluminescence of ZnS:Mn nanorods was analyzed, and the corresponding
activation energies were calculated by using a simple two-step rate
equation. Mn2+-related orange emission (4T1 → 6A1) demonstrates high stability
and is comparatively less affected by the temperature variations than
the defect-related emission. A metal–semiconductor–metal
junction ultraviolet photodetector based on the nanorod networks has
been fabricated by a cost-effective method. The device exhibits visible
blindness, superior ultraviolet photodetection with a responsivity
of 1.62 A/W, and significantly fast photodetection response with the
rise and decay times of 12 and 25 ms, respectively.