Cooperation effects of Cu and Mn impurities inducing the formation of hollow shell structured ZnS quantum dots

In this paper, we have achieved the hollow shell ZnS QDs with a simple preparation process, and deeply analysed the mechanism of hollow shell ZnS QDs (~10 nm). The co-doping of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) caused the cooperated effects on the ZnS quantum dots, in which hollow shell structure can be formed. The mechanism is that Mn2+ ions in ZnS matrix provide some diffusion channels allowing the outward movement of the Cu2+ ions. In addition, it has been shown that Cu doping at 0.2–0.3% and Mn doping at 3% could form hollow shell structure.