Zinc thiosemicarbazone complexes: Single source precursors for alkylamine capped ZnS nanoparticles

We report the syntheses of Zn (II) thiosemicarbazone complexes, ZnCl2(benztsczH)(2) (1), Zn(benztscz)(2) (2) and Zn(4-C1-benztscz)(2) (3), where (benztscz = benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (L1) and 4-CI-benztscz = 4-Chloro benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (L2)). The complexes were used as single source precursors for the fabrication of ZnS nanoparticles via thermal decomposition at 230 degrees C using oleylamine as coordinating solvent. The single crystal X-ray structure of complex (1) was also elucidated. The powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) analysis confirmed the cubic and crystalline nature of the as-synthesized ZnS nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis showed formation of spherical nanoparticles with sizes between 5 and 10 nm for oleylamine capped ZnS nanoparticles. Optical absorption analysis showed ZnS displaying size quantum effect due to the small size of the as -synthesized particles. The value of absorption band gap determined varies in the range of 3.7-3.9 eV. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of ZnS nanoparticles exhibit a blue emission peak at similar to 387 nm. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.