Synthesis of Zn2TiO4@CdS Core‐shell Heteronanostructures by Novel Thermal Decomposition Approach for Photocatalytic Application

Abstract

AbstractZn2TiO4@CdS core‐shell heteronanostructures with Zn2TiO4 as core and CdS nanoparticles as shell have been synthesized for the first time by a novel thermal decomposition approach. The size of CdS nanoparticles in the shell can be easily tuned by varying the amount of single molecular precursor (bis(thiourea)cadmium acetate, [Cd(CS(NH2)2)2]⋅(CH3COO)2). Various state‐of‐art analytical techniques prove the formation of Zn2TiO4@CdS core‐shell heteronanostructures. Powder XRD results confirm the presence of cubic Zn2TiO4 and hexagonal CdS in the core‐shell heteronanostructures. SEM and TEM studies indicate spherical morphology for pure Zn2TiO4 and formation of core‐shell structure in Zn2TiO4@CdS with Zn2TiO4 as core and CdS nanoparticles as shell. XPS measurements prove the presence of Zn2+, Ti4+, Cd2+ and S2− in the Zn2TiO4@CdS core‐shell heteronanostructures. The synthesized Zn2TiO4@CdS core‐shell heteronanostructures were explored for photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet in an aqueous solution. The core‐shell heteronanostructures exhibit better photocatalytic activity as compared to their parent materials.