Abstract

• Zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by using Zn (NO3)2.6H2O and Na2S as precursors and different volumes of honey as capping and stabilizing agents. The structural, morphological, thermal and optical properties of as synthesized nanoparticles were investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive x-rays spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT IR), thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and UV-visible spectroscopy. ZnS nanoparticles were indexed as hexagonal crystal structure with particles size ranging from 12.9 to 17.2 nm. The average particle size was also measured by TEM using image J software. EDX analysis revealed the high purity of synthesized zinc sulphide nanoparticles. From TG-DTA analysis and FT IR, biomolecules were involved in synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles because of the presence of organic compounds. The ultraviolet absorption spectra showed the blue shift in absorption maxima due to the quantum effect. The results revealed the direct relationship between volume of honey while the reverse relation were observed for absorption wavelength, crystallite size and refractive index of ZnS nanoparticles.