Effect of Precursor Molar Ratio of [S 2− ]/[Zn 2+ ] on Particle Size and Photoluminescence of ZnS:Mn 2+ Nanocrystals

Abstract
We investigate the influence of precursor molar ratio of [S2−]/[Zn2+] on particle size and photoluminescence (PL) of ZnS:Mn2+ nanocrystals. By changing the [S2−]/[Zn2+] ratio from 0.6 (Zn-rich) to 2.0 (S-rich), the particle size increases from nearly 2.7 nm to about 4.0 nm. The increase in the ratio of [S2−]/[Zn2+] causes a decrease of PL emission intensity of ZnS host while a distinct increase of Mn2+ emission. The maximum intensity for the luminescence of Mn2+ emission is observed at the ratio of [S2−]/[Zn2+]≈1.5. The possible mechanism for the results is discussed by filling of S2− vacancies and the increase of Mn2+ ions incorporated into ZnS lattices.