Control of particle growth and enhancement of photoluminescence, adsorption efficiency and photocatalytic activity for zinc sulfide and cadmium sulfide using CoAl-layered double hydroxide system

Abstract

Abstract The fabrication of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) hybrids was carried out by the sulfidization of Zn(II) or Cd(II) adsorbed in dodecylsulfate modified CoAl-layered double hydroxide through solid-liquid reaction. The TEM images showed the nanocrystals of ZnS (2.61 nm) or CdS (3.29 nm) that orderly distributed on the nanosheets. The spectroscopic observations further confirmed the formation of ZnS or CdS nanoparticles in the hybrid as the evidence of the blue-shifted absorption onset, and the increase of the photoluminescence intensity relative to those of bare ZnS and CdS. In addition, the host-guest and/or guest-guest interactions promoted the greater optical performance, and adsorption and photocatalytic efficiencies. This research showed an interesting process for controlling the small nanoparticles of ZnS and CdS by intercalating in the interlayer space of CoAl-layered double hydroxide in the helping of dodecylsulfate, and for enhancing their photoluminescence intensity and performance for long time-period. Besides, the nanohybrids could be applicable as the adsorbent and photocatalyst on purifying wastewater contaminated with Congo red dye.