Synthesis, Characterization and Photocataytic Activity of SnS Nanocrystals

Abstract

Tin sulfide nanocrystals were successfully synthesized by wet chemical precipitation method. The as prepared SnS nanocrystals are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scinning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-VIS and photo lumiscence (PL) study. XRD results show that the phases of obtained nanoparticles areorthorhombic. TEM image shows that the particles are almost spherical shape and the grain size is about 23 nm. UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy study determines the band gap energy of SnS is approximately 2.39 eV. Room temperature PL spectra of as prepared SnS show an emission peak at 630.34 nm (1.96 eV) which is due to various defect level transition. It is clear that as obtained SnS shows a strong photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl blue (MB) in visible light radiation. This outstanding photocatalytic performance of SnS is mainly due to smallercrystal size, greater surface area and good absorption coefficient in the range of visible light spectrum.