ZnS nanoparticles well dispersed in ethylene glycol: coordination control synthesis and application as nanocomposite optical coatings

The study of the preparation and application of ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) has been one of the most prominent hotspots in the domain of semiconductor NPs. The ZnS NPs usually exist in two crystallographic forms: zinc blende (cubic) and wurtzite (hexagonal). However, controlled preparation of ZnS NPs with specified crystallographic forms is still a difficult problem. Herein, zinc blende type ZnS NPs have been prepared by coordination control with diethanolamine (DEA) in ethylene glycol (EG). The prepared ZnS NPs can be well dispersed in EG without precipitation. The effect of DEA on the crystal form of the ZnS NPs was studied. We conclude that in EG, when no strong coordinating agent exists for the zinc ion, hexagonal crystal ZnS nanoparticles may be obtained, while coordinating agents such as acetate and DEA coordinated with the zinc(II) ion can inhibit the formation of the hexagonal ZnS crystal nucleus and the more stable zinc blende can be obtained. Moreover, transparent nanocomposite coatings of ZnS in PU matrix were prepared. This demonstrates that the incorporation of ZnS NPs can improve the refractive index of the optical coatings.