Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hedgehog-Shaped ZnS Nanostructures: Structural Characterization and Photocatalytic Applications in Environmental Engineering

• Marzieh Haghverdi

  Iran University of Science and Technology

• Akram Karbalaee Hosseini

  Iran University of Science and Technology

• Azadeh Tadjarodi

  Iran University of Science and Technology

The development of efficient photocatalysts for wastewater treatment is a critical challenge in environmental engineering. In this study, hedgehog-shaped zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanostructures were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using zinc nitrate hexahydrate and thiosemicarbazide as precursors. The products were systematically characterized using a variety of analytical techniques, including FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and UV–Vis. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of phase-pure ZnS with a wurtzite structure, while SEM and TEM images revealed hierarchical microspheres decorated with radially oriented nanorods of approximately 5 nm diameter. Optical analysis revealed a significant blue shift at approximately 290 nanometers and an augmented band gap, suggesting the presence of pronounced quantum confinement effects. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnS nanostructures was evaluated through the degradation of methyl orange dye under UV irradiation, achieving ~75% removal within 5 hours. The hierarchical hedgehog-shaped morphology of the samples provided enhanced light scattering and a high density of active sites, which improved photocatalytic efficiency in comparison with conventional ZnS nanostructures. These findings underscore the potential of ZnS-based nanostructures as sustainable photocatalysts for environmental remediation. Their distinctive architecture renders them well-suited for applications in wastewater treatment, dye removal, and integration into solar-driven photocatalytic systems. This work underscores the significance of morphology-controlled semiconductor nanostructures in propelling green technologies for environmental engineering.

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Copyright (c) 2024 Marzieh Haghverdi, Akram Karbalaee Hosseini, Azadeh Tadjarodi

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