A simple one-step synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles via salt-alkali-composited-mediated method and investigation on their comparative photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Materials research bulletin 2013-02, Vol.48 (2), p.188-193
• Main Authors: Xiang, Donghu, Zhu, Yabo, He, Zhanjun, Liu, Zhangsheng, Luo, Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Semiconductors; ABSORPTION; ABSORPTION SPECTRA; B. Chemical synthesis; D. Catalytic properties; D. Optical properties; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; IRRADIATION; METHYL ORANGE; NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY; NANOSTRUCTURES; OPTICAL PROPERTIES; PARTICLE SIZE; PHOTOCATALYSIS; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS; SYNTHESIS; TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; X-RAY DIFFRACTION; ZINC NITRATES; ZINC SULFIDES
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2012.09.070

The TEM image shows that the as-synthesized ZnS particle size was estimated to be about 40nm and this newly synthesized ZnS nanoparticles can be as a promising photocatalytic degradation material for the organic pollutant removal. [Display omitted] ► ZnS nanoparticles with cubic phase have been successfully synthesized via salt-alkali-composited-mediated method (SACM) for the first time and this method has not been found so far. ► Its band gap (Eg) is a little bigger than commercial ZnS particle mainly due to quantum size effect. ► The as-synthesized ZnS nanoparticles show much more efficient photocatalytic degradation on methyl orange than commercial ZnS powder. ZnS nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized via salt-alkali-composited-mediated method (SACM) for the first time, using a mixture of LiNO3 and LiOH (LiNO3/LiOH=60.7:39.3) as a reaction solvent, sodium sulfide and zinc nitrate as reactants at temperature of 210°C for 24h in the absence of organic dispersant or capping agents. X-ray diffraction, environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the as-synthesized products were well crystallized and belonged to nano-scale. Their UV–vis absorption spectrum demonstrated a band gap of 3.6406eV corresponding to the absorption edge of 340nm. The experimental result of photocatalytic degradation on methyl orange by the nano-ZnS showed much better photocatalysis than that by the commercial ZnS powder under the irradiation of ultraviolet light and visible light, respectively.