access icon free Microwave-assisted synthesis of pectin-stabilised CdS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals and enhanced photocatalytic performance

Pectin-conjugated CdS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals were prepared by using a microwave-assisted approach without the addition of any external ligands. The prepared cubic phase CdS/ZnS nanocrystals were uniform and mono-dispersed with sizes of 6–9 nm. The charge and long-chain structure of pectin molecules effectively prevented the aggregation of CdS/ZnS nanocrystals. In addition, pectin molecules have multiple functional groups, such as O–H, C=O, and COO, which could conjugate with the surface of samples to control the growth of CdS/ZnS nanocrystals. Thermogravimetric analysis provided evidence that the obtained products are inorganic–organic hybrid materials. Based on the analysis of ultraviolet–visible spectra, it was found that the formation of ZnS shell led to a red-shift and an enhancement of absorption of CdS/ZnS nanocrystals compared with that of CdS. Photocatalytic activity of CdS/ZnS nanocrystals was monitored by the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The presence of ZnS shell inhibited photo-corrosion and photo-dissolution of CdS nanocatalyst, thus resulting in a significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity and stability.

Inspec keywords: red shift; wide band gap semiconductors; visible spectra; dyes; photocatalysis; microwave materials processing; core-shell nanostructures; nanostructured materials; ultraviolet spectra; cadmium compounds; aggregation; nanofabrication; II-VI semiconductors; thermal analysis; zinc compounds; surface chemistry; photocatalysts; wastewater treatment

Other keywords: visible light irradiation; thermogravimetric analysis; aggregation; photo-dissolution; photocatalytic stability; red-shift; pectin-stabilised CdS-ZnS core-shell nanocrystals; photo-corrosion; pectin molecules; Rhodamine B degradation; long-chain structure; enhanced photocatalytic performance; microwave-assisted synthesis; inorganic–organic hybrid materials; photocatalytic activity; cubic phase; ultraviolet–visible spectra; CdS-ZnS

Subjects: II-VI and III-V semiconductors; Structure of solid clusters, nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanostructured materials; Optical properties of II-VI and III-V semiconductors (thin films, low-dimensional and nanoscale structures); Photolysis and photodissociation by IR, UV and visible radiation; Environmental issues; Visible and ultraviolet spectra of II-VI and III-V semiconductors; Nanofabrication; Heterogeneous catalysis at surfaces and other surface reactions; Physical chemistry aspects of chemical technology; Water (environmental science); Environmental science technology; Nanometre-scale semiconductor fabrication technology; Nanofabrication using crystal growth techniques

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http://iet.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1049/mnl.2020.0062
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