A simple solution route to ZnS nanotubes and hollow nanospheres and their optical properties

This paper describes a simple solution route to ZnS nanotubes assisted by CNTs and to ZnS hollow nanospheres by templating with in situ generated bubbles at low temperature. Two types of nanotube exist. One has two open ends with a very thin wall; the other has a sealed end with a thicker wall. The hollow nanospheres have uniform thickness of similar to20 nm and they formed dynamically controlled by the quantity of water. HREM results reveal that the nanotubes and hollow nanospheres are both composed of ZnS nanoparticles. The UV-vis absorption spectra exhibit large blue shifts because of quantum size effects. These hollow structures may have potential applications in some areas.