Study of electrical and optical properties of Mn doped ZnS clusters

A simple, easy approach to the synthesis of manganese Mn doped zinc sulphide (ZnS) clusters is reported. The synthesis of Mn–ZnS clusters involved mixing and drying of zinc acetate, sodium sulphide and acrylic acid in appropriate ratio and adding Mn at proper conditions. These clusters were trapped in polyacrylic acid (PAA) to form PAA capping to provide stability. The clusters were characterized using high resolution SEM for morphological investigation; XRD for its crystalline nature; photoluminescence (PL) for optical characterization and electrical conductivity measurement. Clusters of Mn–ZnS were formed of the size ~ 10 nm.     

Electrical and optical characteristics of Ni doped ZnS clusters

A simple, easy approach to the synthesis of nickel (Ni) doped zinc sulphide (ZnS) clusters is reported. The synthesis of Ni–ZnS clusters involved mixing and drying of zinc acetate, sodium sulphide and acrylic acid in appropriate ratio and adding Ni at proper conditions. These clusters were trapped in polyacrylic acid (PAA) to form a PAA capping to provide stability. The clusters were characterized using high resolution SEM for morphological investigation; XRD for its crystalline nature; photoluminescence (PL) for optical characterization and electrical conductivity measurement. Clusters of Ni–ZnS were formed of the size ~ 10 nm.     

Preparation and characterization of nickel/zinc sulphide: Bifunctional magnetic-optical nanocomposites

Nickel nanoparticles coated with zinc sulphide can form complex spherical with a core–shell structure. This coating process was based on mercaptoacetic acid (HSCH₂COOH) as a primer to render the nickel surface vitreophilic, thus it renders nickel surface compatible with ZnS. The morphology, structure, chemical composition, optical properties and magnetic properties of the product were investigated by using various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscope and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was found that the Ni/ZnS nanocomposites exhibited both magnetic and photoluminescent properties.     

Synthesis of CdS nanoplates by PAA-assisted hydrothermal approach

Triangular and hexagonal CdS nanoplates, with average size about 100 nm and average thickness range from 10 to 30 nm, have been synthesized in the presence of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) assisted hydrothermal process at 180 °C. The structural characteristics, morphology, and optical properties of the as-prepared CdS products were investigated. UV–vis spectroscopy measurement reveals that the products show a strong quantum size effect. Based on the experiment results, the possible formation mechanism of CdS nanoplates has been proposed.     

Preparation of chitosan–sodium alginate microcapsules containing ZnS nanoparticles and its effect on the drug release

Chitosan–sodium alginate microcapsules were prepared in the presence of ZnS nanoparticles via the W/O/W emulsification solvent-evaporation method. Microscopy showed that the microsphere was about 150 nm and by the absorption spectra, ZnS nanoparticles incorporated was 4 nm. Aspirin was chosen to investigate the effect of microcapsules on the drug release. It reveals that comparing with the microsphere without nanoparticles, the release speed of microsphere containing ZnS nanoparticles is significantly decreased from complete release at 10 h to 50% release by 50 h. The data of release kinetics for the microcapsules can be well fitted by the classic Higuchi model.     

Superior bactericidal activity of SDS capped silver nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized through UV photo-reduction of silver nitrate aqueous solution, containing ethanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) using an UV digester equipped with high pressure mercury lamp of 500 W. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed from the appearance of surface plasmon absorption maxima at 418 nm. TEM showed the spherical nanoparticles with size in 23–67 nm (average 45 ± 10 nm). The silver nanoparticles were stable for more than 8 months. The antibacterial activity of these SDS capped silver nanoparticles was tested using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model strain for gram-negative bacteria. SDS capped silver nanoparticles exhibit a much higher bactericidal activity compared to silver nanoparticles capped with other capping agents. Even at a low silver nanoparticle concentration of 5 μg/ml, complete inhibition of 10⁷ colony forming units (CFU) was achieved with SDS capped silver nanoparticles. This concentration is much lower than the values reported by other authors. This enhanced bactericidal activity is attributed to much efficient transport of silver nanoparticles by SDS to the outer membrane of cell wall compared to the other capping agents and have a better interaction of nanoparticles with the cell.     

Cytotoxicity,leishmanicidal, and antioxidant activity of biosynthesised zinc sulphide nanoparticles using Phoenix dactylifera

The synthesis of zinc sulphide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) using a green approach was explored. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) were characterised by UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The leishmanicidal, cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of the resulting synthesised ZnS NPs (<70 nm) were evaluated against Leishmania major (L. major) promastigotes and amastigotes by MTT assay and using a macrophage model. The ZnS NPs were able to counteract the effects of oxidative metabolites as demonstrated by the oxidant activity. The IC₅₀ value of butylated hydroxyanisole was 26.04 µg/ml as compared with the IC₅₀ for ZnS NPs (90.95 µg/ml). The NPs displayed no cytotoxicity for the murine macrophaghes as the selectivity index (SI) fell into the safety range (SI ≥ 10). These nanomaterials exhibited good antileishmanial activity against the L. major stages that were comparable to that of Glucantime, the drug of choice. The IC₅₀ values of ZnS NPs and Glucantime against amastigotes were 11.59 ± 2.51 and 4.95 ± 2.51 μg/ml, respectively. The IC₅₀ values for ZnS NPs and Glucantime versus promastigote were 29.81 ± 3.15 and 14.75 ± 4.05 μg/ml, respectively. Further investigation is essential to explore the biological effects of ZnS NPs on animal and/or clinical models.Inspec keywords: nanoparticles, nanofabrication, microorganisms, antibacterial activity, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, nanobiotechnology, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, zinc compoundsOther keywords: cytotoxicity, leishmanicidal activity, antioxidant activity, biosynthesised zinc sulphide nanoparticles, Phoenix dactylifera, green approach, UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Leishmania major promastigotes, Leishmania major amastigotes, MTT assay, macrophage model, oxidative metabolites, butylated hydroxyanisole, murine macrophaghes, selectivity index, glucantime, ZnS     

Mn‐doped ZnS quantum dots‐chlorin e6 shows potential as a treatment for chondrosarcoma: an in vitro study

Chondrosarcoma is the second‐most malignant cancer of the bone and routine treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not responded to the treatment of this cancer. Due to the resistance of chondrosarcoma to radiotherapy, the combination of therapeutic methods has been considered in recent years. In this study, a novel combination approach is used that allows photodynamic therapy to be activated by X‐rays. The synthesis of Mn‐doped zinc sulphide (ZnS) quantum dots was carried out and chlorin e6 photosensitiser attached by covalent and non‐covalent methods and their application as an intracellular light source for photodynamic activation was investigated. The toxicity of each nanoparticles was evaluated on chondrosarcoma cancer cells (SW1353) before and after radiation. Also, the effect nanoparticle‐photosensitiser conjugated type was investigated in the therapeutic efficacy. The characterisation test (SEM, TEM, EDS, TGA, XRD and ICP analyses) was shown successful synthesis of Mn‐doped ZnS quantum dots. Chondrosarcoma cancer cell viability was significantly reduced when cells were treated with MPA‐capped Mn‐doped ZnS quantum dots‐chlorin e6 with spermine linker and with covalent attachment (P  ≤ 0.001). These results indicate that X‐ray can activate the quantum dot complexes for cancer treatment, which can be a novel method for treatment of chondrosarcoma.Inspec keywords: semiconductor quantum dots, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, cadmium compounds, cellular biophysics, drugs, manganese, biomedical materials, cancer, quantum dots, nanofabrication, ultraviolet spectra, zinc compounds, fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, bone, photochemistry, photodynamic therapy, tumours, II‐VI semiconductors, laser applications in medicineOther keywords: noncovalent methods, photodynamic activation, chondrosarcoma cancer cells, chondrosarcoma cancer cell viability, quantum dot complexes, cancer treatment, malignant cancer, routine treatments, radiotherapy, therapeutic methods, Mn‐doped zinc sulphide quantum dots, in vitro study, MPA‐capped Mn‐doped ZnS quantum dots‐chlorin e6, nanoparticle‐photosensitiser conjugated type, ZnS, Mn, ZnS:Mn     

Synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles of required size by precipitation in aerosol microdroplets

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles were prepared by an aerosol method from zinc acetate and sodium sulphide (Na₂S) aqueous solutions. Aqueous solution of zinc acetate was dispersed into the form of microdroplets, which were introduced by airflow to vigorously stirred aqueous solution of Na₂S, which was in excess. Microdroplets served as microreactors, so the reaction took place only in limited volume. Particle size distribution was studied by transmission electron microscopy and by dynamic light scattering measurements. In this work, the equation that allows us to predict the final size distribution of ZnS nanoparticles using exact concentration of zinc acetate was derived and ZnS nanoparticles with predicted mean particle diameter around 50 and 70?nm were successfully synthetised.     

Effect of zinc oxide concentration on the core–shell ZnS/ZnO nanocomposites

In this work, synthesis and characterization of core–shell zinc sulphide (ZnS)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites has been reported to see the effect of ZnO concentration in core–shell combination. The nascent as well as core–shell nanostructures were prepared by a chemical precipitation method starting with the synthesis of nascent ZnS nanoparticles. The change in morphological and optical properties of core–shell nanoparticles was studied by changing the concentration of ZnO for a fixed amount of ZnS. The nascent ZnS nanoparticles were of 4–6 nm in diameter as seen from TEM, each containing primary crystallites of size 1.8 nm which was estimated from the X-ray diffraction patterns. However, the particle size increases appreciably with the increase in ZnO concentration leading to the well known ZnO wurtzite phase coated with FCC phase of ZnS. Band gap studies were done by UV–visible spectroscopy and it shows that band gap tunability can be achieved appreciably in case of ZnS/ZnO core–shell nanostructures by varying the concentration of ZnO. Fourier transform infrared analysis also proves the formation of core–shell nanostructures. Photoluminescence studies show that emission wavelength blue shifts with the increase in ZnO concentration. These core–shell ZnS/ZnO nanocomposites will be a very suitable material for any type of optoelectronic application as we can control various parameters in this case in comparison to the nascent nanostructures.     

Synthesis of monodisperse CdS nanowires and their photovoltaic applications

Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanowires with a monodisperse diameter of 3.6 nm and an aspect ratio of 10–170 were successfully synthesized using a simple and reproducible hot coordinating solvents method. The morphology and optical properties of the CdS nanocrystals were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. It was found that using a long alkyl chain phosphonic acid-octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) causes a low diffusion rate and low reactivity which help to control the morphology of the nanocrystals. The timing of the injection process was also found to have critical effect on the morphology of the nanocrystals. Sharp peaks in both the UV–Vis absorption and PL spectra indicate that the size distribution of the diameter is nearly monodisperse. The photovoltaic properties of photovoltaic devices made with a blend of our nanowires and poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) were also investigated. Devices made with the nanowires were found to have double the I_sc observed in devices made with lower aspect ratio CdS nanorods. The possible reason of low photocurrent and high V_oc is maybe due to the presence of ligand in the nanocrystals.     

One-pot synthesis and strong near-infrared upconversion luminescence of poly(acrylic acid)-functionalized YF<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> nanocrystals

This paper describes the synthesis of new upconverting luminescent nanoparticles that consist of YF₃:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ functionalized with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Unlike the upconverting nanocrystals previously reported in the literature that emit visible (blue-green-red) upconversion fluorescence, these as-prepared nanoparticles emit strong near-infrared (NIR, 831 nm) upconversion luminescence under 980 nm excitation. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the size and composition of the luminescent nanocrystals. Their average diameter was about 50 nm. The presence of the PAA coating was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The particles are highly dispersible in aqueous solution due to the presence of carboxylate groups in the PAA coating. By carrying out the synthesis in the absence of PAA, YF₃:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanorice materials were obtained. These nanorice particles are larger (∼700 nm in length) than the PAA-functionalized nanoparticles and show strong typical visible red (668 nm), rather than NIR (831 nm), upconversion fluorescence. The new PAA-coated luminescent nanoparticles have the pottential be used in a variety of bioanalytical and medical assays involving luminescence detection and fluorescence imaging, especially in vivo fluorescence imaging, due to the deep penetration of NIR radiation.      

Single crystalline ZnO nanorods grown by a simple hydrothermal process

Single crystalline ZnO nanorods with wurtzite structure have been prepared by a simple hydrothermal process. The microstructure and composition of the products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) and Raman spectrum. The nanorods have diameters ranging from 100 nm to 800 nm and length of longer than 10 µm. Raman peak at 437.8 cm^− 1 displays the characteristic peak of wurtzite ZnO. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum shows a blue light emission at 441 nm, which is related to radiative recombination of photo-generated holes with singularly ionized oxygen vacancies.     

Synthesis of ordered ZnS nanotubes by MOCVD-template method

Semiconductor ZnS nanotubes arrays were synthesized in the pores of the porous anodic alumina (PAA) membranes by using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) template methods. The morphology and structure of the ZnS nanotubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is found that the ZnS nanotubes with diameters in range of 140–250 nm and the length up to tens of microns are polycrystalline. Energy-dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) indicate that the stoichiometric ZnS was formed. A green-blue emission band centered at 510 nm was observed in the photoluminescence spectrum of the ZnS nanotubes.     

UV-curable ZnS/polymer nanocomposite for replication of micron and submicron features

In view of the wide interest in high refractive index polymers for microreplication, study was made of UV-curable high refractive index nanocomposite material for microreplication purposes. The refractive index of the nanocomposite was tailored through the addition of surface-modified ZnS nanoparticles to commercial ORMOCOMP^® inorganic–organic hybrid polymer. The refractive index of ORMOCOMP^® was increased linearly from 1.514 (620 nm) to 1.645 (620 nm) by embedding of the nanoparticles (18.6 V%). The nanocomposite showed excellent transparency (T = 89–92%), and increase in the nanoparticle loading shifted the absorption edge from 380 nm to 420 nm. Low scattering of transmitted light (determined by UV–VIS–NIR spectrophotometry) and high dispersion of ZnS (determined by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy) indicated low aggregation of the ZnS nanoparticles. Finally, the nanocomposite was applied to micromolding in capillaries to replicate micrometer-size channels (8 μm × 1.5 μm) with Bragg gratings (period 520 nm and depth 400 nm) on top of the channels. Based on the AFM results the MIMIC molding method was found to be suitable for the replication of microchannels into nanocomposite material.     

Humic acid assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application to herbicide detection

Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized by reduction of silver nitrate in the presence of humic acids (HA) which acted as capping agents. The HA protected nanoparticles were found to be sensitive to increasing concentrations of sulfurazon-ethyl herbicide in solution which induced a variation in color of the nanoparticles solution from yellow to purple. The effect of the humic acid concentration used in the nanoparticles synthesis was studied by varying the [Ag⁺:HA] ratio content from [1:1] to [1:100]. UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to monitor the extinction spectra of silver nanoparticles after the synthesis and in the herbicide sensing experiments. An average silver nanoparticles size of 5 nm was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). When exposed to increasing concentration of sulfurazon-ethyl (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 ppm), the solution of nanoparticles was found to changes from yellow color to orange red and purple with increasing herbicide concentration.     

A facile low-cost synthesis of ZnO nanorods via a solid-state reaction at low temperature

ZnO nanorods have been prepared via a solid-state reaction between anhydrous zinc sulfate and sodium hydroxide in the absence of surfactant and template at relatively low temperature. The products were characterized by XRD, XPS and TEM. The influence of Zn²⁺/OH⁻ ratio on the size and morphology of the as-prepared ZnO samples has been studied, and the experimental results showed that when Zn²⁺/OH⁻ ratio was 1:4, good rod-like morphology with the diameter of 30–50 nm and length of ca. 600 nm can be obtained. Finally, the mechanism for the ZnO nanorods developed in the reaction system has been explained.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Cl-doped ZnS nanoparticles prepared by a solid-state reaction

ZnS:Cl⁻ nanoparticles with strong blue emission have been synthesized successfully by a solid-state reaction at low temperature. The dependence of photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnS:Cl⁻ nanoparticles on the Cl⁻ contents was researched, and the influences of the annealing ambience and using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) during the synthesis on the PL of ZnS:Cl⁻ (Cl/Zn = 0.35) nanoparticles were discussed. X-ray power diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy were used to characterize their structure, chemical state, diameter, surface states, and PL properties. The results showed that ZnS:Cl⁻ nanoparticles had a cubic blende crystal structure and an average crystallite size of 17.40–19.16 nm. The most intensity blue emission peaking at about 425 nm was obtained when Cl/Zn = 0.35 under 330 nm excitation at room temperature. The emission intensity of ZnS:Cl⁻ (Cl/Zn = 0.35) was increased 3-fold than that of ZnS. The results showed that the PL of ZnS:Cl⁻ (Cl/Zn = 0.35) nanoparticles was enhanced after annealing or using PVA during the synthesis, and annealing in vacuum had a stronger effect in improving the luminescence properties of ZnS nanoparticles than in air. This work suggests that it is an effective method to improve the PL intensity of ZnS nanocrystals by doping with Cl⁻ in ZnS.     

The effects of zinc bath temperature on the coating growth behavior of reactive steel

The purpose of this work is to identify the influence of zinc bath temperature on the morphology and the thickness of reactive steel (Fe–0.1 wt.%Si alloy) coatings. The Fe–0.1 wt.%Si samples were galvanized for 3 min at temperatures in the range of 450–530 °C in steps of 10 °C. The coatings were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-rays analysis. It was found that the coating thickness reaches the maximum at 470 °C and the minimum at 500 °C, respectively. When the reactive steel is galvanized at temperatures in the range of 450–490 °C, the coatings have a loose ζ layer on the top of a compact δ layer. With the increase of the galvanizing temperature, the ζ layer becomes looser. When the temperature is at 500 °C, the ζ phase disappears. With the increase of temperature, the coatings change to be a diffuse-Δ layer (δ+ liquid zinc).     

Multi-capping agents in size confinement of ZnO nanostructured particles

In the present paper, we report a new approach to synthesize crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in the presence of multi-capping agents namely poly-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and citric acid (CA), with zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium hydroxide (NaOH as pellets) as a source material and their characteristic studies. The ZnO nanoparticles grown under this simple chemical process involve a heterogeneous chemical reaction in the presence of water as a solvent medium and reaction temperature of 100 °C for 48 h in a closed environment. The structural, optical and chemical features of ZnO nanoparticles were systematically studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Ultra Violet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopy. The Williamson–Hall (W–H) plot was also performed to distinguish the effect of crystalline size-induced broadening and strain-induced broadening at Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) of the XRD profile. The growth mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles and the effective capping mechanism shown by each capping agent are briefly discussed.