Large-scale growth of millimeter-long single-crystalline ZnS nanobelts

Millimeter-long single-crystalline hexagonal ZnS nanobelts were grown on specific locations on a wafer scale. This is the first time that the millimeter-scale ZnS nanobelt has been synthesized. The longest nanobelts are about 3 mm. The as-grown nanobelts were characterized by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. The results indicate that the ultra-long nanobelts are pure single-crystalline hexagonal ZnS. There are two kinds of ZnS nanobelts existing in the products. One is the nanobelts that have two smooth sides and grow along the [0 0 1] longitudinal direction, and the other is the nanobelts that have one smooth side and one saw-teeth-like side, namely nanosaws, and grow along the [2 1 0] longitudinal direction. A vapor–liquid–solid mechanism is suggested for the lengthwise growth of the ZnS nanobelts (nanosaws) and a vapor–solid mechanism for the side direction growth of the saw-teeth of the nanosaws.