Temperature-controllable preparation of ZnS nanosaws on Si substrate

A large number of ZnS nanosaws are synthesized on Si substrates in the presence of Au catalyst by thermally evaporating ZnS powder. Morphologies and structures of thus-grown ZnS nanosaws are characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and a transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that temperature of the Si substrates used for collection of the products is a critical experimental parameter for the formation of ZnS nanostructures with different morphologies. The growth mechanism of the ZnS nanosaws is discussed on the basis of the experimental findings.