Preparation and characterization of MS (M = Cd, Zn) semiconductor nanofibrils by a γ-irradiation technique

CdS and ZnS nanofibrils were successfully synthesized by a γ-irradiation technique using hexadecanol as the template. The size and morphology of the CdS and ZnS nanofibrils were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The diameter and the length of the ZnS and CdS are almost the same. Strong hydrogen bonds present among the molecules of the alcohols easily formed long chains. These long chains can act as new soft templates. When Cd2+ or Zn2+ ions meet with S2-, CdS or ZnS may be grown along these long chains, leading to the formation of CdS or ZnS nanofibrils. The approach provides a new chemical route to the production of semiconductor nanofibrils, which may find applications in many technological fields.