Facile preparation of ZnS/g-C3N4 nanohybrids for enhanced optical properties

ZnS/g-C₃N₄ nanohybrids with different weight ratios were synthesized for the first time by a facile hydrothermal approach. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicated that ZnS nanoparticles were uniformly loaded on the surface of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. Introduction of g-C₃N₄ led to blue-shift, especially distinct with the increase of ZnS content. Photoluminescence (PL) results revealed the additional peak intensity increased gradually as ZnS loading increased. Compared with the others, the ZnS/g-C₃N₄ (80 wt%) nanohybrids exhibited the highest PL intensity with 55 times as high as pure ZnS. Moreover, the ZnS/g-C₃N₄ (80 wt%) nanohybrids showed the higher PL quantum yields (6.1%) than pure ZnS (2.8%) and the mixture (4.3%). The process of electrons transfer, accumulation and release between ZnS and g-C₃N₄ structure was responsible for above results. The excellent properties make the ZnS/g-C₃N₄ nanohybrids as promising candidates in fluorescence detection field. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry.