Controlled growth of single-crystal ZnS nanoparticles with preferential (111) orientation: Low dislocation density and its impact on luminescence properties

Here, single-crystal ZnS semiconductor nanoparticles were synthesized via a wet chemical method, exhibiting a spherical morphology with an average size of 26 nm. XRD profile revealed diffraction peaks along the (111), (220), and (311) planes, with an exceptionally strong intensity along (111). The texture coefficient confirmed a preferential orientation along this plane. Microstructural analysis based on XRD data revealed lower strain and dislocation density compared to previously reported works, strongly suggesting that the lower defect density in (111) preferentially oriented ZnS compared with other polycrystalline ZnS structures. Finally, the influence of the (111) preferential orientation on the emission properties of ZnS was examined through photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The PL spectra show a lower intensity of the blue emission peak at 416 nm, further suggesting that ZnS semiconductor nanoparticles with a (111) preferential orientation have fewer defects and vacancies.