The role of luminescence self-absorption in photocatalytic properties of self-assembled ZnS nanocrystals

Abstract

In this work, we used a template-free method to synthesize zinc sulfide (ZnS) materials. The photocatalytic performances of the samples were evaluated, and the physical natures of the ZnS nanocrystals were determined by photoluminescence (PL). Interestingly, the temperature-dependent PL variations of the samples were very different in connection with the synthesis condition. Combined with a series of catalytic experiments, it suggested that the intrinsic self-absorption of PL and photon recycling play key roles in photocatalysis. This work gives a new idea for understanding the photocatalysis and presents a new strategy to design ZnS related photocatalysts for further applications.