A hydrothermal method to prepare the spherical ZnS and flower-like CdS microcrystallites

Abstract The spherical ZnS and flower-like CdS microcrystallites are prepared by a convenient hydrothermal process through the reactions of Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 ·2H 2 O or Cd(CH 3 COO) 2 ·2H 2 O with S and NaH 2 PO 2 ·H 2 O in aqueous solution at 180 °C for 12 h. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) is used to confirm the cubic phases of the ZnS and CdS microcrystallites. Their chemical compositions are characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show the morphologies of the as-synthesized ZnS and CdS. The photoluminescence spectra (PL) exhibit their optical properties.