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Visible light emission and enhanced electrocatalytic activity of pure ZnS nanoparticles synthesized via thermal decomposition route

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Abstract

ZnS nanoparticles have been synthesized using facile thermal decomposition route by varying the concentration of sulphur source. Increase in sulphur concentration increases the crystallinity of the synthesized samples, confirmed by calculation of various structural parameters or lattice defects using XRD data and FESEM images. The crystal structure and crystallinity have a great influence on charge separation and the migration of generated charge carriers. Higher the crystallinity, smaller the number of defects. The defects work as traps and recombination centres between generated electrons and holes, which result in deterioration of device performance. A material with better crystalline structure provides longer diffusion length and lifetime of charge carriers. With increase in the sulphur concentration, various other characteristics like optical and electro catalytic properties have also been improved. It is seen that an increase in sulphur concentration increases the conductivity of the synthesized samples as energy band gap has been reduced. The band gap for least crystalline T1 is higher than T2 and T3. This variation in the band gap is in complete agreement with the quantum confinement effect comparing with their crystallite size. Photoluminescence study reveals that prepared samples show emission in visible range i.e., violet, blue, green and orange without adding any dopant. Electrocatalytic performance has been conducted using EIS and CV studies which suggest that increase in sulphur concentration increases the capacitive behaviour. Charge transfer resistance value of highly crystalline sample T3 is found to be 16.26 Ω which is smaller than T1 and T2. The charge transfer resistance of sample T3 could be credited to the enhanced conductivity and crystallinity due to the presence of highest concentration of sulphur in T3 when compared to T1 and T2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Lab for Energy Systems, Department of Physics, N.S.I.T, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110078, India

    Medha Bhushan & Rekha Bhardwaj

  2. Research Lab for Energy Systems, Department of Physics, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, New Delhi, 110078, India

    Ranjana JHA

  3. Research Lab for Energy Systems, Department of Chemistry, N.S.I.T, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110078, India

    Reetu Sharma

Authors
  1. Medha Bhushan
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  2. Ranjana JHA
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  3. Rekha Bhardwaj
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  4. Reetu Sharma
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Correspondence to Medha Bhushan.

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Bhushan, M., JHA, R., Bhardwaj, R. et al. Visible light emission and enhanced electrocatalytic activity of pure ZnS nanoparticles synthesized via thermal decomposition route. Bull Mater Sci 44, 261 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-021-02546-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-021-02546-8

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