Temporal evolution of optical and photocatalytic properties of hydrothermally synthesized EDTA-encapsulated CdS spherical nanostructures

Abstract

EDTA encapsulated CdS spherical nanocrystals have been prepared via hydrothermal approach at three different reaction times 16 h, 20 h, and 24 h. The XRD investigation confirms the formation of cubic and hexagonal mixed phase of CdS while HRSEM image validates the synthesis of spherical nanocrystals. The EDX spectra confirm the purity of the samples. The optical properties have been studied using UV–Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. The PL spectrum at 20 h reaction time shows utmost intensity. The vibrational properties of the synthesized CdS samples have been investigated using FTIR technique in the range of 500 – 4000 cm−1. The photocatalytic properties of EDTA@CdS spherical nanocrystals to degrade methyl blue dye have been studied under sunlight.

Keywords

• Spherical CdS
• Hydrothermal
• Spherical particles
• Photocatalyst
• Methyl blue
• Dye degradation