Synthesis of CdS‐ and ZnS‐modified bentonite nanoparticles and their applications to the degradation of eosin B

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: In the present study, nanocomposites of cadmium sulphide (CdS) and zinc sulphide (ZnS) on a bentonite have been prepared via an in‐situ precipitation route and their catalytic behaviour was evaluated in the degradation of eosin B.RESULTS: It was found that the basal space of bentonite increased from 1.23 to 1.49 nm after CdS or ZnS nanoparticles were deposited on layers of the bentonite. The resulting CdS–bentonite and ZnS–bentonite nanocomposites can degrade eosin B from aqueous solution after 2 h under UV irradiation.CONCLUSION: A soft method for in situ synthesis of monodispersed, CdS and ZnS nanoparticles, using a reverse micelle type procedure, is reported. The synthesized CdS‐ and ZnS–bentonite composites combined the adsorptive ability of bentonite and the catalytic degradation ability of CdS and ZnS to remove eosin B from its aqueous solution efficiently. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry