Synthesis of CuS and CuS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals for photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible light

Ung Thi Dieu Thuy, Nguyen Quang Liem, Christopher M.A. Parlett, Georgi M. Lalev, Karen Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

High quality CuS and CuS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized in a large quantity using a facile hydrothermal method at low temperatures of 60 C and evaluated in the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. Synthesis time plays an important role in controlling the morphology, size and photocatalytic activity of both CuS and CuS/ZnS core/shell NCs which evolve from spherical shaped particles to form rods with increasing reaction time, and after 5 h resemble "flower" shaped morphologies in which each "flower" is composed of many NCs. Photocatalytic activity originates from photo-generated holes in the narrow bandgap CuS, with encapsulation by large bandgap ZnS layers used to form the core/shell structure that improves the resistance of CuS towards photocorrosion. Such CuS/ZnS core/shell structures exhibit much higher photocatalytic activity than CuS or ZnS NCs alone under visible light illumination, and is attributed to higher charge separation rates for the photo-generated carriers in the core/shell structure. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)62-67
Number of pages6
JournalCatalysis Communications
Volume44
Early online date24 Jul 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding: EU-FP7 NMP.2012.2.2-6 program.
Supplementary data: available online

Keywords

  • CuS
  • CuS/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals
  • hydrothermal synthesis
  • photocatalytic activity
  • water depollution

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