Synthesis and characterization of semiconductor zinc sulfide nanotubes by soft-template method

ZnS nanotubes have been successfully synthesized from solutions containing a surfactant, Triton X-100 (t-octyl-(OCH₂CH₂) _xOH, x=9, 10). X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) are employed to characterize the structure and morphology of as-synthesized product. XRD and SAED pattern indicate that as-obtained products consist of pure polycrystalline cubic-phase ZnS structures. TEM images reveal that most of the products are tubular structures, with diameters ranging between 37-52 nm and lengths up to 3 μm. The wall thickness of as-obtained ZnS nanotube is around 9 nm. The growth mechanism of ZnS nanotubes has also be proposed.