Porous metastable γ-MnS networks:: biomolecule-assisted synthesis and optical properties

A facile biomolecule-assisted approach has been developed to prepare porous network-like metastable gamma-MnS nanostructures through hydrothermal treatment of a homogeneous system of MnCl2 and L-cysteine. The morphology and phase of the MnS products can be controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature and molar ratio of the reagents ( MnCl2 and L-cysteine). It was found that the. gamma-MnS porous networks formed via the aggregation and crystallization of the amorphous nanospheres. Preliminary UV-vis measurements have demonstrated that the as-prepared metastable gamma-MnS networks exhibit original optical properties. These porous gamma-MnS networks are expected to find potential applications in luminescence, optoelectronic and catalytic fields, as well as in the studies of structure - property relationships. This facile, environmentally benign and solution-phase biomolecule-assisted method can be potentially extended to the preparation of other magnetic chalcogenides including FeS, NiS and CoS nanostructures.