Hydrothermal synthesis of highly stabilised ZnS¿polystyrene hybrid nanoparticles

Hydrothermal synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles in the presence of polystyrene (PS) nanosphere templates has been investigated. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as dispersing agent and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as chelating agent caused the gradual formation of ZnS-PS hybrid nanoparticles. Chemical compound and structural studies revealed the formation of ZnS sphalerite phase which was increased by reaction time. The size of the hybrid particles was in the range of 40-60 nm. The formation of the hybrid particles was confirmed by the variation of zeta potential against pH. The obtained nanoparticles could be stabilised in aqueous medium for more than 2-3 months. It was in agreement with the controlled growth of ZnS nanoparticles on the surface of PS templates. The red shift of adsorption edge (from 4.36 to 4.27 eV) with an increase of reaction time was due to the growth of ZnS particles in the quantum confinement region.