Synthesis and Photo-Catalytic Studies of ZnS Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work, we report on the synthesis of ZnS semiconductor nanoparticles stabilized with different capping agents (SPP, STTP, SHMP, ME, TG). The capped ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical route. The as obtained nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis (EDAX), UV–VIS absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the formation of wurtzite FCC structure of capped ZnS nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopic image as well as XRD studies confirmed the nanometer size particles formation. The average particle size was found to lie in the range of 2-8 nm. A UV-VIS optical spectroscopy study was carried out to determine the band gap of the capped ZnS nanoparticles and it showed a blue shift with respect to the bulk value. The room temperature photoluminescence spectra of the nanoparticles showed emission peaks in the range of 363 – 446 nm at excitation wavelength of 325 nm for different concentrations of capping agents in ZnS nanoparticles. Photocatalytic degradation of bromophenol blue dye was done using capped ZnS nanoparticles. It took about 3.5 hours to degrade the dye completely under UV irradiation.