Fabrication of Schiff base coordinated ZnS nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of chlorpyrifos pesticide and detection of heavy metal ions

Abstract

We report the simple synthesis of zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) by a co-precipitation method using Schiff base, (2-[(4-methoxy-phenylimino)-methyl]-4-nitrophenol) as a capping agent. The formation of ZnS NPs and their optical, structural, thermal properties and morphologies were studied by means of UV–vis DRS, PL, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and TGA. The optical properties and quantum confinement effect of the products were confirmed by means of spectroscopic measurements. We have accessed the photocatalytic ability of the prepared ZnS and Schiff base capped ZnS NPs in the degradation of chlorpyrifos under UV light irradiation for the prevention of environmental pollution. The prepared ZnS NPs exhibited a selective probe detection of Fe3+, Cr2+ and Cd2+ ions by fluorometrically and the emission band which disappears in the presence of increasing concentrations of Fe3+, Cr2+ and Cd2+ ions. Our work suggested that the synthesized Schiff base capped ZnS NPs could be a potential selective photocatalyst for the degradation of toxic pollutants and a selective probe sensor for the detection of heavy metal ions. Keywords: Schiff base, ZnS nanoparticles, Chlorpyrifos pesticide, Heterogeneous photocatalysis, Fluorescence sensor