Multiphonon scattering and photoluminescence of two dimensional ZnS nanosheets grown within Na-4 mica

Two dimensional wurtzite ZnS nanosheets with thickness of 0.6 nm are grown within the interlayer spaces of sodium fluorophlogopite mica (Na-4 mica) using ion-exchange-cum-solution treatment method followed by sulfidation treatment at 873 K. The presence of wurtzite ZnS is confirmed by x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and Raman scattering studies. The two dimensional form of ZnS gives rise to a strong quantum confinement with the band gap blue shifted by 1.7 eV. Thickness of the nanosheet is confirmed using atomic force microscopy. Raman scattering studies show higher order transverse optical modes due to increased deformation potential in reduced dimension. In contrast to red shift of optical phonon modes in phonon confinement model, a blue shift observed is ascribed to a compressive stress on ZnS nanosheets grown within Na-4 mica interlayer spaces. An additional band at 315 cm(-1) is assigned to surface optical phonon. Unusual broadening in room temperature photoluminescence spectrum may be due to strong coupling of excitons with overtones of longitudinal optical phonon modes. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4757930]