Growth of wurtzite ZnS micrometer-sized diskettes and nanoribbon arrays with improved luminescence

We report on the synthesis of wurtzite ZnS micrometer-sized diskettes (including those lined up with ZnS nanowires) and ZnS nanoribbon arrays. Using ZnS powder as a source material, a vapor-solid growth based on a two-stage temperature-controllable thermal evaporation and condensation process is realized. Significant enhancement of luminescence compared to the ZnS source material is observed from these ZnS micro- and nanometer-sized structures. The structures may serve as ideal model systems in the nano- to micrometer range for studying the optical and electronic properties of ZnS material. They can also be treated as prospective building blocks of two- and/or three-dimensional arrays and are promising candidates for fabricating novel electronic and optoelectronic devices.