Abstract
Abstract Tin sulfide nanoparticles were prepared from tin(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes: bis(benzylmethyl dithiocarbamate)tin(ii) (SnS1), bis(dibenzyl dithiocarbamato)tin(ii) (SnS2), and bis(imidazolyldithiocarbamato)tin(ii) (SnS3) single-source precursors. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the as-prepared tin sulfide nanoparticles confirmed orthorhombic crystalline phase irrespective of the tin(ii) dithiocarbamate precursors used to prepare the tin sulfide nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopic images showed SnS nanoparticles with average particle size of 1.35 ± 0.04 nm for SnS1, 2.63 ± 0.65 nm for SnS2, and 1.55 ± 0.15 nm for SnS3. The energy bandgap of the SnS nanoparticles obtained from Tauc plots are in the range 3.80–4.37 eV. The as-prepared SnS nanoparticles were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of rhodamine B with efficiency of 90.97, 61.53, and 80.26% for SnS1, SnS2, and SnS3, respectively, while for phenol degradation efficiency was 96.45, 75.13, and 90.69% after 180 min. The results indicate that the as-prepared SnS nanoparticle are efficient photocatalyst for rhodamine B and phenol degradation. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and phenol follows pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics model from which the photodegradation rate could be obtained. Scavenger studies show that electrons (e−), hydroxy radicals (˙OH), and holes (h+) play significant role in the photodegradation of rhodamine B and phenol by the SnS nanoparticles. Recyclability studies show the SnS photocatalyst could be reused for four cycles without losing its photodegradation ability.
Highlights
In recent years, coordination chemistry of dithiocarbamate has received considerable attention because of its ability to coordinate metal ions in different oxidation states to give complexes in different structural motifs [1]
The results indicate that the as-synthesized SnS nanoparticles are quantum dots due to their size being less than 10 nm
Monodispersed spherical nanoparticles were obtained for SnS1 and SnS2 with average particle size of 1.35 ± 0.04 and 2.63 ± 0.65 nm, respectively, while SnS3 was agglomerated with average size of 1.55 ± 0.15 nm
Summary
Coordination chemistry of dithiocarbamate has received considerable attention because of its ability to coordinate metal ions in different oxidation states to give complexes in different structural motifs [1]. IV–VI semiconductors’ nanoparticles are being studied due to their optical properties and small bandgap which make them useful for various applications in optoelectronic devices Among this class of compound, SnS nanoparticles are of particular interest because of its high absorption coefficient, and photoelectric conversion efficiency [5,6,7]. The use of three tin(II) dithiocarbamate complexes as single-source precursors in this paper to prepare tin sulfur nanoparticles and study the effect of the different precursors on the morphology and photocatalytic properties of the asprepared tin sulfur nanoparticles. The generated electron–hole reacts with oxygen from the surrounding and the aqueous solution to give highly reactive oxygen species such as superoxide and hydroxide radicals [25] These radicals are responsible for the degradation of organic contaminants through photocatalytic process. The as-prepared SnS nanoparticles were used as photocatalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B and phenol under visible light irradiation, the photodegradation kinetics, mechanism, and recyclability were evaluated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
