gamma-MnS films with 3D microarchitectures: comprehensive study of the synthesis, microstructural, optical and magnetic properties

Abstract

In the present work, for the first time, we report ?-MnS films with a 3D microsphere morphology prepared through a chemical bath deposition technique at low temperature under aqueous conditions. The X-ray diffraction study confirmed the formation of wurtzite phase ?-MnS. Growth temperature induces a change in the morphology of ?-MnS films from microspheres to microflakes, which may be due to the difference in the nucleation process. The obtained ?-MnS microspheres have a surface area of ?25 m2 g-1. The photoluminescence spectra show a strong yellow emission band centered at about 550 nm. The obtained microsphere ensemble plays a crucial role in influencing the magnetic behavior of ?-MnS films. The highest coercive field (3320 Oe) and saturation magnetization (17 emu g-1) were obtained for ?-MnS microspheres prepared at 60 °C. © 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry.