A novel method for the synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles/CdS nanowires heterostructure nanocomposite and uses in photodegradation of methylene blue

Abstract

We report here a simple, efficient, practical, and novel method for the preparation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs)/CdS nanowires. The CdS nanowire/Fe₃O₄ NP reported here was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and energy-dispersive X-ray. Cadmium diethyl dithiophosphate has been used as a 3 in 1 precursor (cadmium, sulfur, and ligand source) for the synthesis of high-quality one-dimensional Fe₃O₄ NPs/CdS nanowires using a simple hydrothermal method in the presence of Fe₃O₄ NPs in water. Photocatalytic activity studies show that the nanocomposite has good photocatalytic activity toward the photodegradation of methylene blue in an aqueous solution.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• CdS nanowire
• heterostructure
• Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle
• semiconductor
• dithiophosphate

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge support by the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS). We would also like to thank Dr Bahman Farnudi, The English Language Section, IASBS, for editing the manuscript.