The aim of this work is to report the optical and structural properties of ZnS nanoparticles in mesoporous matrix. The samples were obtained by sulfidation of the Zn 2? ion-exchange mesopore in a Na 2 S solution at room temperature. The final product (ZnS/MCM-41) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectrometry and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Its crystalline structure and morphology was studied by XRD and SEM. Exciton absorption peaks at higher energy than the fundamental absorption edge of bulk ZnS indicates quantum confinement effects in nanoparticles as a consequence of their small size.