One-pot synthesis of nanostructured CdS, CuS, and SnS by pulsed laser ablation in liquid environment and their antimicrobial activity

Abstract

We describe here a generic method for producing high-quality metal sulfide nanoparticles of a controllable and narrow size distribution in the nano-metric range. Metal sulfide nanostructures (CdS, CuS, and SnS) are synthesized by using nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in a liquid solution containing sulfur precursor in just one step (one-pot versatile synthesis method). The optical properties have been studied using UV–Visible spectroscopy showing the main characteristic transition peaks of metal sulfides. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) shows a uniform Smaller-sized and nearly spherical nanocrystals exhibited a cross lattice pattern. The structure study by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) reveal the purity and the spherical crystalline structure of all the prepared nano metal sulfides. After that, the antibacterial activity has been examined against four types of bacteria and unicellular fungi by using agar plate diffusion methods followed by studying the required time for killing. The tested microorganisms strain is showing that CuS nanoparticles have the highest antimicrobial activity.