Effect of temperature and reaction time on the morphology of L-cysteine surface capped chalcocite (Cu2S) snowflakes dendrites nanoleaves and photodegradation study of methyl orange dye under visible light

Shahid Iqbal, Ali Bahadur, Shoaib Anwer, Shahid Ali, Rana Muhammad Irfan, Hao Li, Muhammad Shoaib, Muhammad Raheel, Tehseen Ali Anjum, Muhammad Zulqarnain

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Template-free, the facile hydrothermal route was used for the synthesis of pure self-assembled L-cysteine stabilized chalcocite nanoleaves (Cu2S@L-Cys NLs) with the best control of size, phase purity structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties. Effect of temperature (100–180 °C) and reaction time (8−24 h) were studied on the morphology of chalcocite Cu2S@L-Cys NLs snowflakes dendrites. By changing these factors, different morphologies such as irregular, regular, trigonal, hexagonal nanoleaf, and snowflakes dendrites like shapes were observed. Cu2S@L-Cys NLs were fabricated by using ethylenediamine (EDA) as a solvent. The photocatalytic performances of as-prepared Cu2S@L-Cys snowflake dendrites (NL3) and Cu2S@L-Cys irregular hexagram (NL4) in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) were examined under visible light. The noteworthy, unique bandgap (Cu2S@L-Cys snowflake dendrites NLs (1.55 eV) and Cu2S@L-Cys irregular hexagram NLs (1.58 eV) and the special morphology of Cu2S@L-Cys NLs increases the active sites for adsorption of dye, which causes extraordinary degradation activity. Furthermore, the L-cysteine (L-Cys) protective layer could efficiently alleviate the photocorrosion of Cu2S, giving rise to excellent stability. Cu2S@L-Cys NLs were reused successfully for photodegradation of dye due to the recycling ability of Cu2S@L-Cys NLs. The Cu2S@L-Cys snowflake dendrites NLs showed improved photocatalytic activity as compared to Cu2S@L-Cys irregular hexagram NLs. The improved surface area of Cu2S@L-Cys snowflake dendrites NLs, compared to that of the Cu2S@L-Cys irregular hexagram NLs, may be ascribed to the fact that snowflakes dendrites can support the growth and more surface-active sites of Cu2S@L-Cys. These results strongly suggest that the Cu2S@L-Cys snowflake dendrites are promising candidates for photocatalytic dye degradation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number124984
JournalColloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Volume601
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Sept 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dye degradation
  • Morphology controlled
  • Nanosheet
  • Photocatalyst
  • Snowflakes dendrites

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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