Sputtering Phenomena of ZnS Nanoparticles with Graphite Sheaths by Impacting of High-Energy Electron in a Transmission Electron Microscope

Abstract

This paper presents an interesting sputtering phenomenon when high-energy beams irradiated ZnS nanoparticles with graphite sheaths in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Sputtered nanoparticles were spherical and well dispersed on the copper grids. Results of high-resolution TEM and X-ray diffraction showed that sputtered particles were ZnS nanoparticles. The sizes of deposited ZnS nanoparticles appeared a good gradient distribution according to their distance away from the sputtering target. These nanoparticles had gradual changes in diameter from about 0.5 to 12 nm. We also discussed the mechanism of this sputtering phenomenon. This research may afford a simple and efficient method to prepare well-dispersed semiconductor nanocrystals in a small size range.