Facile synthesis of Zn-doped CdS nanowires with efficient photocatalytic performance

ABSTRACT

In this study, one-dimensional zinc (Zn)-doped cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanowires were synthesised by a solvothermal method. The Zn doping concentrations were varied from 1 to 5 mol% (Zn_xCd_1−xS where x = 0.001, 0.003 and 0.005). As-prepared materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was conducted to measure the charge transfer resistance. The photocatalytic performance of prepared materials was evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The result showed that 5% Zn-doped CdS is more photoactive as compared to other corresponding doped and undoped CdS. The increase in photocatalytic performance is due to improvement in the charge separation.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• CdS
• nanowires
• doping
• photocatalytic
• methyl blue

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful for the research and funding support from University of Haripur, Pakistan, Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and University of Chinese Academy of Science (UCAS), China.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).