Stabilization of ZnS nanoparticles by polymeric matrices: syntheses, optical properties and recent applications

Abstract

ZnS has been one of the most investigated II-IV semiconductor material, known for very interesting optoelectronic properties and its versatile applications in various fields. The transition from bulk to nano regime has brought forth some drastic changes in the optical properties of ZnS. In this review article, we have comprehensively discussed the surface passivation of ZnS nanoparticles by various polymeric ligands/matrix. Systematic investigation has been reported for state of the art synthesis and novel strategies for fabrication of ZnS nanocomposites have been discussed. A brief account of the pioneer works for ZnS has been described and their fundamental properties have been discussed. The characterization techniques in understanding the formation and stabilization of ZnS nanocomposites are highlighted. The article primarily focuses on the main features, synthesis techniques, and optical properties of polymer based ZnS nanocomposites. We have tried to cover recent application and developments in field of polymer based ZnS nanocomposites in biosensing, cell tagging, optoelectronic devices, heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalytic application etc. Overall this article provides an insight to optimize the synthetic routes and condition for better utilization of ZnS nanocomposites and provide an outlook to expand these applications to other areas, such as drug delivery, labeling, tracking agents, bioanalytical sensors, fluorescent probes, optics, information storage, and optoelectronics. of these unique properties are extremely promising for emerging technological applications, such as nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, biomedicine, information storage, communication, energy conversion, catalysis, environmental protection, and space exploration. 4-7 Nanocomposites are new generation novel and hybrid materials consisting of multiphase solid material. The essential condition is that atleast one of the component (phase) is in the nanometric range. Nanocomposites can include three dimensional metal matrix composites, lamellar composites, colloids, porous materials, gels, copolymers in which nanosized material are dispersed with the bulk matrix. The morphology can be different such as platelets, fibers, spheroids etc. The composite possess novel and collective performances which original components lack. The properties of the nanocomposites depend on the individual components, morphology and the interface characteristic. The improved and enhanced characteristics of nanocomposites such as super hydrophilicity, super hydrophobicity, thermal and chemical stability, improved mechanical property, electrical conductivity, abrasion resistance makes them worthy material for application in engineering purposes. 8, 9

Room-Temperature Synthesis of ZnS Nanoparticles Using Zinc Xanthates as Molecular Precursors

“…The NP size and composition can be controlled by changing the pH and/or adding a stabilizing agent [7][8][9][10]. A number of methods have been applied in order to prepare stable and defect-rich nanomaterials with enhanced properties, such as the microwave irradiation technique [11,12], low-temperature microemulsion [13,14], aerosol microprecipitation [15], capping ZnS NPs with polymer [16], or even biological methods like Stevia-assisted precipitation [17] and sulfate reduction by leaf extract [18].…”

Formation of highly ordered micro fillers in polymeric matrix by electro-field-assisted aligning

“…In the past few decades, nanocomposites have been widely studied in scientic literature since their signicant improvement in performance, even in the case of low micro/nano llers content. By the rational selection of llers, it is possible to control the basic properties of the material, [1][2][3][4][5][6] such as melting temperature, magnetic properties, charge capacity, and color, without changing the chemical composition. Performances improvement and optimization based on micro/nano llers promise extensive applications in many elds such as mechanical reinforcement, 7,8 lightweight components, 9 sensors, 10,11 and etc.…”

Synthesis of ZnS:Tm<sup>3+</sup> Nanoparticles by the Polyol Method

“…Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is a semiconductor which in the size range of nanoparticles (1 -100 nm), exhibits photoluminescent properties when it is excited by ultraviolet radiation, where the color emission is directed related to the size particle [1]. The unique properties of these nanoparticles, such as photoluminescence and electroluminescence, make these nanoparticles important for many technological applications, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs), sensors, displays, lasers, solar cells, and for biomedical applications [2] [3] [4] [5].…”