Growth, microstructure, structural and optical properties of PVP-capped CdS nanoflowers for efficient photocatalytic activity of Rhodamine B

Abstract

Size and structure tunability of polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP) capped cadmium sulfide (PVP-capped CdS) flowers were synthesized by controlling the reaction time. XRD pattern indicated a phase transition from the cubic zinc blend to the hexagonal phase of CdS powder as the reaction time increased. As per the microstructure analysis with respect to the reaction time, the spherical nanoparticles were transformed in to the flower like morphology consisting of sword like nanorods and confirmed by the bright field images of TEM, while, HR-TEM images showed the uniform lattice spacing. UV-spectra exhibited a red shift due to the excitations of CdS nanoparticles. The near band edge (NBE) peak of PVP-capped CdS was completely diminished which indicated to sulphur vacancies on the surface of flowers. The photocatalytic activity of PVP-capped CdS flowers was detected the fast degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye (95% for 120 min) by irradiation of visible light. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.