Tailored synthesis of CuS nanodisks from a new macrocyclic precursor and their efficient catalytic properties on methylene blue dye degradation

Abstract

In this study, CuS nanodisks have been synthesized from a tetraaza (N4) macrocyclic complex precursor by a facile wet chemical method. The crystallinity and morphology of the as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, which confirm a phase pure crystalline CuS nanostructures with ~15 to 20 nm in dimension with ~5 nm thickness. A possible formation mechanism and growth process of the CuS nanodisks are discussed using thiourea and tetraaza ligand as the sulfur donor and stabilizing agent, respectively. Cyclic N4 ligand also acts as a binding agent to template-guide the oriented growth of CuS nanodisks. The optimized geometry of ligands and complexes was calculated using B3YLP functional, which indicates that the HOMO in the complex located on metal center and N atoms are weakly bonded to the metal center. The catalytic activity of CuS nanodisks toward MB degradation with light displays the higher MB degradation rate than under dark in the presence of H2O2. The C t/C 0 plot as a function of time displays the higher MB degradation activity of CuS nanoparticles with H2O2. The recycle stability of CuS nanoparticles was even found to be >80 % after five cycles studied by repeating the MB degradation with same CuS nanoparticles sample. CuS nanostructures synthesized from a tetraaza macrocyclic complex precursor show the disk-like registry with average lateral dimension between 15 and 20 nm and thickness of 5 nm. The catalytic activity of CuS nanodisks toward MB degradation with light displays the higher MB degradation rate than in dark in the presence of H2O2.