Synthesis and characterization of dandelion‐like ZnS with high antibacterial activity

Abstract

Nanostructure materials have been the subject of widespread research over the past couple of decades. Recent experiments on nanostructure materials have revealed a host of novel physical and chemical properties, which are significantly different from that of the conventional materials. Many workers are devoted to developing new synthesis methods to fabricate materials with novel nanostructures. ZnS, as a vital wide‐gap semiconductor, has been extensively investigated due to its outstanding photoelectric effect, high catalytic activity and wide applications. Recently, ZnS nanomaterials with various geometrical shapes such as 1D wire, rod, or 2D sheet, belt and so on, have been prepared using variety of physical or chemical methods [1‐2]. Dandelion‐like ZnS materials assembled by 2D nanosheets or 1D nanowires are of great interest as they provide extremely large specific surface areas and unique porous microstructure [3]. However, research into the 3D nanostructure ZnS assembled by 1D ZnS nanowires is still less dealt with. What's more, majority researchers were devoted to photoluminescence and photocatalytic, few of them pay enough attention to the antibacterial activity of ZnS. Microbial contamination has become increasing difficult to control owing to the resistance offered by microbes against conventional antimicrobial agents. It is well‐know that inorganic nanomaterials, such as TiO2, AgPO3, ZnO, reveal high antibacterial activities [4‐5]. To date, only scant information about antibacterial ability of the ZnS has been recorded. In this work, dandelion‐like ZnS has been prepared via the method of facile one‐pot hydrothermal synthesis. The dandelion‐like ZnS was characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer and X‐ray diffraction. The results reveal that the surface topographies of the 3D dandelion‐like ZnS particles are actually assembled by plenty of interlaced 1D ZnS nanowires. The influence of reaction time, reaction temperature, Zn/S mole ratio and different zinc and sulfur sources to the dandelion‐like structure were investigated. The dandelion‐like ZnS exhibits superior ability in inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli, which makes it promising candidate for biological materials. The large specific surface area, porous surface morphology and the releasing of the Zn2+ ions are considered probable causes for the high antibiotic activity of the dandelion‐like ZnS.