Structural transition behavior of ZnS nanotetrapods under high pressure

Abstract

ZnS nanotetrapods synthesized via a solvothermal route have a octahedral core with a zincblende (ZB) structure and four hexprism-shaped arms consisting of alternately stacking ZB and wurtzite (WZ) phases, where the WZ phase has a higher volume percentage. In situ angular-dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD) measurements were carried out to study the structural behavior of ZnS nanotetrapods under high pressure up to 41.3 GPa. The initial WZ structure exhibits a very high mechanical stability to ∼11.3 GPa. Both the WZ and ZB structures transform to the rocksalt (RS) structure at ∼15.4 GPa. The bulk moduli of the WZ (148.2 ± 8.9 GPa) and RS (165.6 ± 9.9 GPa) phases are both larger than the previously reported values. These phenomena are discussed based on the alternating epitaxial growth of the WZ and ZB phases in the arms of nanotetrapods. Our study suggests that the internal structure of nanomaterials could also greatly affect their stability and transition behavior.

Keywords:

• ZnS nanotetrapods
• phase-transition behavior
• high pressure in situ ADXRD