Hot pressing sintering of zinc sulfide microsphere decorated with nanorods synthesized by the simple refluxing method

A zinc sulfide microsphere decorated with nanorods was synthesized using the refluxing method. Then, the asobtained ZnS nanostructures were consolidated via the hot pressing (HP) technique. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and X-ray mapping analyzes were used to characterize the ZnS sample. The effects of various factors such as pH, temperature, and reaction time were investigated on the morphology and particle size of ZnS nanostructures. The formation of sphalerite phase of ZnS nanoparticles was confirmed by the XRD analysis. FESEM also revealed that ZnS nanostructures with the molar ratio 1:1.3 (zinc: sulfur) had a spherical morphology decorated with sulfur nanorods. The ZnS nanostructures were consolidated by hot pressing technique at 860 degrees C for 2h under vacuum atmosphere. XRD analysis indicated that the sintered ceramic had a sphalerite phase. FESEM study demonstrated that ZnS ceramic had a grain size diameter within the range of 1-3 mu m.