Controllable synthesis, characterization, and growth mechanism of hollow Zn_xCd_1−xS spheres generated by a one-step thermal evaporation method

Novel hollow Zn_xCd_1−xS spheres that are uniform in size are synthesized through the one-step thermal evaporation of a mixture of Zn and CdS powder. From an X-ray diffraction (XRD) study, the hexagonal wurtzite phase of Zn_xCd_1−xS is verified, and the Zn mole fraction (x) is determined to be 0.09. According to the experimental results, we propose a mechanism for the growth of Zn_0.09Cd_0.91S hollow spheres. The results of the cathodoluminescence investigation indicate uniform Zn, Cd, and S distribution of alloyed Zn_0.09Cd_0.91S, instead of separate CdS, ZnS, or nanocrystals of a core-shell structure. To the best of our knowledge, the fabrication of Zn_xCd_1−xS hollow spheres of this kind by one-step thermal evaporation has never been reported. This work would present a new method of growing and applying hollow spheres on Si substrates, and the discovery of the Zn_0.09 Cd_0.91S hollow spheres would make the investigation of Zn_xCd_1−xS micro/nanostructures more interesting and intriguing.