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Synthesis of CuS nanoparticles by a wet chemical route and their photocatalytic activity

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Abstract

CuS nanoparticles (NPs) of few nanometers in size were prepared by a wet chemical method. The structural, compositional, and optical properties of the NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, micro Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The XRD pattern proved the presence of hexagonal phase of CuS particles which was further supported by Raman spectrum. The estimated band gap energy of 2.05 eV for the slightly sulfur-rich CuS NPs is relatively larger than that of bulk CuS (1.85 eV), indicating the small size effect. As-prepared NPs showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light. The surface-bound OH− ions at the CuS nanostructures help adsorb MB molecules facilitating their degradation process under visible light illumination. The studies presented in this paper suggest that the synthesized CuS NPs are promising, efficient, stable, and visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst for the remediation of wastewater polluted by chemically stable azo dyes such as MB.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank Dr. J.M. Gracia y Jimenez for providing the FT-IR equipment, and the central laboratory of IFUAP-BUAP for the Raman spectroscopy facility. The technical assistance of Rogelio Moran Elvira in SEM measurement and Ma. Luisa Raman Garcia in XRD analysis has been acknowledged. The CuS nanoparticles used in this work was developed for the projects: Centro Mexicano de Innovación en Energía Solar (CeMIE-Sol 207450/P28), Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT-UNAM IN 113214, IN 107815), and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT-238869).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 62580, Temixco, Morelos, Mexico

    Mou Pal, N. R. Mathews & X. Mathew

  2. Instituto de Física, BUAP, Av. San Claudio y Blvd. 18 Sur Col. San Manuel, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 72570, Puebla, Mexico

    Mou Pal, E. Sanchez-Mora & U. Pal

  3. Departamento de Materiales Nanoestructurados, Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (CIMAV), Chihuahua, Mexico

    F. Paraguay-Delgado

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  1. Mou Pal
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  2. N. R. Mathews
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  3. E. Sanchez-Mora
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  4. U. Pal
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  5. F. Paraguay-Delgado
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  6. X. Mathew
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Correspondence to X. Mathew.

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Pal, M., Mathews, N.R., Sanchez-Mora, E. et al. Synthesis of CuS nanoparticles by a wet chemical route and their photocatalytic activity. J Nanopart Res 17, 301 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3103-5

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