Recent Developments in ZnS-Based Nanostructures Photocatalysts for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The continuous growth of the world population has led to the constant increase of environmental pollution, with serious consequences for human health. Toxic, non-biodegradable, and recalcitrant organic pollutants (e.g., dyes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides) are discharged into water resources from various industries, such as textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals, plastics, etc. Consequently, the treatment of industrial wastewater, via a sustainable technology, represents a great challenge for worldwide research. Photocatalytic technology, an innovative technique based on advanced oxidation process (AOP), is considered a green technology with promising prospects in the remediation of global environmental issues. In photocatalysis, a very important role is attributed to the photocatalyst, usually a semiconductor material with high solar light absorption capacity and conductivity for photogenerated-charge carriers. Zinc sulfide (ZnS), as n-type semiconductor with different morphologies and band gap energies (Eg = 3.2–3.71 eV), is recognized as a promising photocatalyst for the removal of organic pollutants from wastewater, especially under UV light irradiation. This review deals with the recent developments (the last five years) in ZnS nanostructures (0D, 1D, 3D) and ZnS-based heterojunctions (n-n, n-p, Z scheme) used as photocatalysts for organic pollutants’ degradation under simulated (UV, Vis) and sunlight irradiation in wastewater treatment. The effects of different synthesis parameters (precursors’ type and concentration, capping agents’ dosages, reaction time and temperature, metal doping, ZnS concentration in heterostructures, etc.) and properties (particle size, morphology, band gap energy, and surface properties) on the photocatalytic performance of ZnS-based photocatalysts for various organic pollutants’ degradation are extensively discussed.