Preparation of ZnS-graphene nanocomposites under electric furnace and photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2014 Nov;14(11):8646-53. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2014.9981.

Abstract

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles were synthesized from zinc nitrate hexahydrate and thiourea under microwave irradiation. The ZnS-graphene nanocomposites were calcined in an electric furnace at 700 degrees C under an inert argon gas atmosphere for 2 hr. The heated ZnS-graphene nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectrophotometry. After heat treatment, ZnS-graphene nanocomposites had a more porous and larger surface area, than the unheated ZnS-graphene nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity of the heated ZnS-graphene nanocomposites in the degradation of organic dyes, such as methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B, under ultraviolet light at 254 nm by UV- vis spectrophotometer was evaluated and compared with that of the unheated ZnS nanoparticles, heated ZnS nanoparticles, unheated ZnS-graphene nanocomposites. Among the our experimental results as a photocatalyst, the heated ZnS-graphene nanocomposites exhibited remarkably higher photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes as compared to other nanomaterials such as unheated ZnS nanoparticles and heated ZnS-graphene nanocomposites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azo Compounds / analysis
  • Azo Compounds / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Coloring Agents / analysis*
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Industrial Waste
  • Methylene Blue / analysis
  • Methylene Blue / chemistry
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Sulfides / chemistry*
  • Textile Industry
  • Zinc Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • Coloring Agents
  • Industrial Waste
  • Sulfides
  • Zinc Compounds
  • methyl orange
  • Graphite
  • zinc sulfide
  • Methylene Blue