Dopant-induced red emission, paramagnetism, and hydrogen evolution of diluted magnetic semiconductor ZnS: Eu nanoparticles

Cubic-structured europium (Eu) doped zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via refluxing at 150 °C. Absolute structural studies showed that Eu⁺ ions were successfully substituted into the ZnS host lattice and changed the original structure of the host. As-fabricated ZnS:Eu NPs exhibited typical red emission due to the transition of the Eu dopant in the ⁵d₀-⁷f₁, ⁵d₀-⁷f₂, ⁵d₀-⁷f₃, and ⁵d₀-⁷f₄ energy levels of the 4f orbital of the dopant. The typical diamagnetic ZnS could be converted to tunable paramagnetic as a function of Eu-doping content. These NPs were quantified for hydrogen evolution through water splitting by artificial solar spectrum. Eu doping can drastically enhance the hydrogen (H₂) evolution capability of ZnS, which is higher than that of bare ZnS NPs. The causes behind these engrossing results will be revealed. These interesting properties may find applications in optoelectronics, spintronics, and H₂ evolution.