Proficient route in synthesis of glucose stabilized Ag modified ZnS nanospheres for mechanistic understandings of commercially used dyes degradation

Recent Developments in ZnS-Based Nanostructures Photocatalysts for Wastewater Treatment

“…ZnS is a wide band gap semiconductor, with band gap energy in the range 3.25–3.74 eV [ 24 , 44 ] for cubic and 3.52–3.64 [ 28 , 45 ] for hexagonal structure, and with high optical transmittances in the Vis region and large exciton binding energy (40 meV) [ 46 ]. The band gap energy (E g ) reported for ZnS covers a wide range of values, from 2.5 eV [ 47 ] to 4.64 eV [ 48 ], most with Eg = 3.21–3.71 eV, as is shown in Figure 1 .…”

“…These holes react with water and form hydroxyl radicals (HO•), while photogenerated electrons from ZnS QDs CB generate the reduction reaction of O 2 molecules to anionic superoxide radicals (O 2 − •). Both radicals act as strong oxidants for degradation and mineralization of MB dye molecules and transform them into CO 2 , H 2 O, and degraded products [ 44 , 50 ].…”

“…Over the last decades, 1D NSs have gained increased attention due to their diversity in morphology, chemical composition, and structure. Accordingly, considerable effort has been devoted to the preparation of ZnS’ nanostructured photocatalysts with controlled morphologies, such as nanospheres [ 24 , 44 , 49 ], nanosheets, nanotubes [ 38 ], and nanorods [ 49 ]. Among 1D ZnS NSs, nanotubes have a hollow mesoporous structure, and consequently a large specific surface area, enhancing their optoelectronic properties (e.g., Eg, electron conductivity).…”

“…The effect of capping agents and Ag-doping on the morphology, optoelectronic, and photocatalytic properties of ZnS NS photocatalysts has been the subject of many studies. In recent works [ 44 , 49 , 50 ], the photocatalytic activity of ZnS and Ag-ZnS catalysts for different dyes’ degradation were studied comparatively, under irradiation with UV light and sunlight, respectively.…”

“…A facile one-step hydrothermal method was also used for the preparation of ZnS (noted ZnSC3) and Ag-doped ZnS (Ag-ZnSC3) with 1D nanospheres structures, as photocatalysts for dye (RhB and MB) degradation under sunlight illumination [ 44 ]. In the synthesis procedure, glucose was used both as a capping agent and as a mild reducing agent, due to its special properties such as biodegradability, natural abundance, and low cost.…”