Simple and surfactant free synthesis and characterization of CdS/ZnS core–shell nanoparticles and their application in the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution

In the current study, CdS/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from CdSO sub(4).8H sub(2)O and Zn(NO sub(3)) sub(2).6H sub(2)O starting reagents in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation. The effects of preparation parameters such as ultrasonic power, irradiation time, and precursor concentration on the morphology of the CdS/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles and the removal of heavy metals (Hg super(+2), Pb super(+2)) were studied by SEM and batch adsorption studies. The as-synthesized products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution field-emission transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy.