Nanosized ZnS has been prepared inside MCM-41 hosts by two related schemes,
both of which are derived from surface modification methods. The ZnS-conta
ining MCM-41 samples with and without the functional groups (ethylenediamin
e groups in this case) were designated as ZnS-ED-MCM-41 and ZnS-MCM-41(cal)
, respectively. The ZnS-MCM-41 composites were characterized by powder X-ra
y diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy, energy disperse s
pectra, Nz adsorption-desorption isotherms, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spec
tra, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The ZnS was mainly formed and reta
ined in the channels of the MCM-41 host, and its growth was controlled by t
he channels. In contrast, the amount of ZnS on the external surface is much
smaller. The existence of ZnS inside the MCM-41 hosts resulted in a consid
erable decrease in surface area, pore diameter, and pore volume, and a mass
ive blue shift in the UV-vis spectra was observed. In comparison with the Z
nS-MCM-41(cal) sample, a dramatic increase in PL emission for the ZnS-ED-MC
M-41 sample was observed, which was suggested to arise from a strong intera
ction between the ZnS clusters and the organic component. The nature of the
PL spectra has been tentatively attributed to the sulfur vacancies in the
present experiment. Finally, the synthesis of other sulfides, such as CdS a
nd CuS clusters, has also been explored inside the channels of the MCM-41 h
ost.