Luminescence enhancement of core-shell ZnS:Mn/ZnS nanoparticles

Mn2+-doped ZnS nanoparticles and Mn2+-doped ZnS nanoparticles coated with a shell of ZnS were prepared in reverse micelles. Mn2+ emission at 580 nm in the coated nanoparticles was seven times stronger than that in the uncoated ones. Ultraviolet light treatment enhanced the luminescence at 580 nm in the uncoated nanoparticles, but led to no luminescence enhancement in the coated ones. Some calculations indicated that Mn2+ ions were not randomly distributed in the particle, but preferred to occupy the sites close to the surface. The experiment results indicated that ZnS shell and UV treatment could block the nonradiative transition paths and led to the enhancement of luminescence. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.