Core-satellite ZnS-Ag nanoassemblies: Synthesis, structure, and optical properties

We synthesized hollow core-satellite nanoassemblies comprised of hollow zinc sulfide (ZnS) shells decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). This was achieved by solution-phase attachment of Ag NPs to hollow ZnS nanospheres (NSs) prepared by spray pyrolysis. This produces an aqueous dispersion of ZnS-Ag hybrid structures, 50-500nm in overall diameter. We characterized the nanostructures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to elucidate the ZnS (core)-Ag (satellite) morphology and optimize conditions for producing such structures. Optical spectroscopy showed that photoluminescence of ZnS was quenched by Ag while absorbance was enhanced. This work provides a simple and general means of producing hollow core-satellite structures that could be of broad applicability.