Synthesis and properties of transition metals and rare-earth metals doped ZnS nanoparticles

The synthesis and study of nanostructured materials have become a major interdisciplinary area of research over the past 20 years. Semiconductor nanoparticles play a major role in several new technologies, the intense interest in this area derives from their unique chemical, physical and electronic properties, which give their potential use in the fields of displays, lighting, sensors and lasers, as well as other areas. Transition metal ions or/and rare-earth metal ions doped ZnS nanoparticle is one of the most popular topics of semiconductor phosphors. As the factors of quantum size effect, surface states and the position of impurities in nanosized semiconductor be considered, the process of synthesis is very important for the doped ZnS nanoparticles, therefore, several kinds of methods have been concluded in this literature. There are many interesting phenomena that have been observed, for example, the shift and broadening of spectrum, high luminescent quantum efficiency, shorting of emission lifetime and upconversion emission. Different theoretical models presented by various groups to explain the phenomenon have also been reviewed. This literature review aims to highlight recent advances in the synthesis of doped ZnS semiconductor nanoparticle materials and their wonderful properties. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.