Preparation of a Water‐Soluble Zn_XCd_1‐XS Quantum Dot Photocatalyst at Room Temperature Assisted by 3‐Mercaptopropionic Acid

Abstract

An effective path to synthesize Zn x Cd 1-x S quantum dots (ZCS QDs) in aqueous phase at room temperature has remained relatively unexplored. Here, we developed a room-temperature, aqueous-phase approach to ZCS QDs, using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) to adjust the pH of the reaction precursor solution to regulate the competition between sulfur source and hydroxyl group, and realize the large-scale preparation of water-soluble ZCS QDs photocatalyst at room temperature. Without recombination with other materials, and only by regulating the ratio of pH, excess sulfur sources and Zn/Cd, the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) can reach 98% within 1 min, showing high photocatalytic activity. ZCS QDs show high stability and recoverability, and are expected to be able to deal with organic pollutants on a large scale. This study provides a new idea for the preparation of other QDs at room temperature.

Interfacial Nucleation Mechanism of Water-Soluble Ag–In–S Quantum Dots at Room Temperature and Their Visible Light Catalytic Performance

“…Our previous work has shown that mass production can be achieved by this method. 25 Here, a new photocatalytic degradation approach for organic dyes is used, which is to directly prepare AgInS 2 QDs in organic dyes. This method can simulate the actual treatment of organic dyes in water directly in the raw material and the formation of QDs in water and can begin the photocatalytic degradation.…”

“…Recently, we prepared a water-soluble Zn−Cd−S (ZCS) QD photocatalyst at room temperature with the assistance of 3-mercaptopropionic acid and described the nucleation mechanism of ZCS QDs. 25 The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) can reach 98% within 1 min, showing high photocatalytic activity. Although ZCS nanocrystals (NCs) have high catalytic activity, many research groups are looking for suitable alternative materials because of the toxicity of Cd.…”

“…Unfortunately, there are no further applications for synthetic nanocrystals. Recently, we prepared a water-soluble Zn–Cd–S (ZCS) QD photocatalyst at room temperature with the assistance of 3-mercapto­propionic acid and described the nucleation mechanism of ZCS QDs . The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) can reach 98% within 1 min, showing high photocatalytic activity.…”

Recent Advances in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of ZnxCd1−xS‐Based Photocatalysts

“…For example, Li et al developed an aqueous-phase approach to fabricate Zn x Cd 1Àx S QDs at room temperature, which greatly simplified the synthesis process. [35] Gao et al developed water-soluble Zn x Cd 1Àx S QDs and achieved a higher PHE rate than those of other Zn x Cd 1Àx S QDs fabricated by the conventional coprecipitation method, demonstrating the importance of using oil-and water-soluble Zn x Cd 1Àx S QDs for PHE. [36] Zhang et al reported hollow nanospheres of a Zn 0.46 Cd 0.54 S DS (DS-Zn 0.46 Cd 0.54 S) synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process.…”

Construction of Three‐Dimensional In‐Zn‐Cd‐S Composite Materials and Their Visible‐Light Catalytic Performance

“…According to our previous reports, the feasibility of synthesizing ZCS QDs at room temperature has been confirmed. [12] However, in view of the fact that ZCS QDs cannot degrade organic dyes under visible light, this paper intends to enlarge the size of nanomaterials, improve the active sites on the crystal surface by adjusting the surface topography of materials, and change its photocatalytic ability under visible light. L-cysteine as sulfur source, can be prepared with different morphology and crystal structure (wurtzite, zinc blende/ wurtzite (Z/W) phase junctions, twin crystal) of ZnÀ CdÀ S solid solution.…”