Single Pot Microwave Synthesis of CdS Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquid and Their Photocatalytic Application

Abstract

CdS nanoparticles were synthesized with uniformed nano size by thermal decomposition of cadmium diethyldithiocarbamate Cd[Ddtc]₂ in 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluroborate ([C₆MIM]BF₄) ionic liquid in the presence of hexadecylamine as a capping agent. The particles were isolated and then characterized with various experimental techniques to study the particles sizes and crystalline nature. The XRD studies confirmed that the synthesized CdS have hexagonal wurzite crystal structure. The optical and electronic properties of the nanoparticles were derived from UV-Visible spectral studies as well as photoluminescence and Raman studies. The scanning electron microscopic studies reveal that the particles have a spherical shape with a diameter of 5 nm. Long chain hexadecylamine acts as a shape directing agent while ionic liquid act as a solvent medium. The synthesized nanoparticles can be utilized for the effective photocatalytic decoloration of methylene blue.