The solid-phase recrystallization (SPR) method was used to grow ZnS bulk crystals. Scanning electron microscopy, polarized microscope and photoluminescence (PL) assessed the characterization of solid-phase recrystallized ZnS. A larger single grain has been grown by higher temperature annealing under sulfur atmosphere, and the grain growth mechanism was discussed based on both the annealing temperature and the atmosphere. The low-temperature PL indicated that the ZnS crystals grown by SPR was of high quality. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.