Facile synthesis of ZnS quantum dots at room temperature for ultra-violet photodetector applications

[Display omitted] •ZnS QDs was synthesized using a facile method at room temperature.•The monodispersed ZnS QDs with narrow size distribution has been achieved.•ZnS QDs based photodetector with high performance has been fabricated. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized using a facile, low-cost and environmentally friendly method at room temperature and ambient pressure. The structural, optical and electrical properties of the as-prepared ZnS QDs were investigated. The monodispersed crystalline ZnS QDs with an average size of 3.8 nm has been prepared, an absorption peak at 292 nm in the ultra-violet (UV) range was observed. The maximum responsivity (R) and detectivity (D*) of the ZnS QDs based photodetector under 365 nm UV light illumination were 5.8 A W−1 and 1.97 × 1013 Jones, respectively, which shows important potential application in UV detection.