The submicrometer monodisperse zinc sulfide (ZnS) hollow spheres were synthesized by gamma-ray irradiation at room temperature, using monodisperse poly (styrene-methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) (PSMA) latex spheres as the templates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to characterize these nanoparticles, indicating the formation of core-shell colloidal spheres, as well as hollow spheres. The TEM study for the ZnS-coated PSMA core-shell particles has revealed the uniform coating of ZnS on the PSMA core surface as a thin layer. The obtained ZnS hollow spheres are uniform having a diameter range of 365-375 nm, and wall thickness range of 25-35 nm. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.