Catalytic growth of clusters of wurtzite ZnS nanorods through co-deposition of ZnS and Zn on Au film

Clusters of ZnS nanorods have been fabricated by co-deposition of ZnS and Zn on a gold film at 530 °C. The as-obtained product is comprised of uniform ZnS nanorods (about 200 nm in diameter and 1-2 μ in length) with preferred [001] orientation, showing a polar top/bottom surface. The nanomaterials show strong green emission centered at 520 nm at room temperature. The structures and morphologies of the clusters were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and a mechanism for the growth of ZnS nanorods has been suggested.