Preparation and characterization of bifunctional ZnO/ZnS nanoribbons decorated by γ-Fe2O3 clusters

This manuscript presents the preparation and characterization of polycrystalline ZnO/ZnS nanoribbons decorated by gamma-Fe2O3 clusters. The weight percentages of ZnO, ZnS, and gamma-Fe2O3 in the product were 22.2, 69.3, and 8.5%, respectively. The nanoribbons were synthesized by a two-step, solution-based method. First, porous ZnO/ZnS microspheres were solvothermally prepared. Then, Fe(2+)and Fe3+ ions were transferred into the microspheres due to their porous property and good adsorption ability. Finally, a mineralizer such as ethylenediamine or aqueous ammonia or urea was introduced into the system to promote the mineralization of Fe(2+)and Fe3+ ions as well as the transformation of microspheres into nanoribbons. Through tracing the morphology evolution of porous microspheres to nanoribbons by transmission electron microscopy, the growth of the nanoribbons is clarified to be dominated by a dissolution-reconstruction mechanism. The measurements of the optical and magnetic properties revealed that these nanoribbons are bifunctional and have integrated the photoluminescent effect of ZnO and ZnS and the ferromagnetism of gamma-Fe2O3.