Pure and Fe3+-doped ZnS quantum dots as novel and efficient nanophotocatalysts: Synthesis, characterization and use for decolorization of Victoria blue R

Ultra-small pure and iron-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized using a simple and fast procedure based on chemical precipitation in aqueous solution. The QD size was controlled by adding 2-mercaptoethanol as a capping agent at room temperature. The QDs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis absorbance, transmission electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed that the iron-doped nanoparticles were crystalline with a cubic zinc blende structure and a crystallite size of 17±2Å. The undoped and Fe3+-doped ZnS QDs were used as nanophotocatalysts for decolorization of Victoria blue R as a cationic dye under UV irradiation. The effects of the photocatalyst dose, mole fraction of the dopant, irradiation time, and sample pH on the dye decolorization efficiency were studied.