Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis of capped Cr-doped ZnS nanoparticles with improved bactericidal and catalytic properties to treat polluted water

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Applied Nanoscience Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Inorganic semiconducting ZnS doped with Cr nanoparticles was fabricated using chemical co-precipitation method with monothioethylene glycol as capping agent. This study is an effort to investigate as to how various concentration ratios of systematically doped Cr (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%) to ZnS affect structural, optical, and morphological properties at room temperature. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed that crystallinity improved upon doping and the synthesized material has cubic structure without secondary phase. XRD and Raman spectra showed successful incorporation of Cr3+ particles into ZnS host lattice. The functional groups and chemical species associated with vibration of molecules were determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) images showed nanoscale particles with cubic and spherical morphology. Elemental composition of Cr-ZnS particles was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Kinetics of degradation of methylene blue (MB) catalyzed via synthesized nanoparticles was recorded under UV–Vis irradiation. The antimicrobial evaluation of Cr-doped ZnS nanocomposites against MDR S. aureus showed significant (p < 0.05) inhibition zones compared to undoped ZnS. The catalytic activity results indicate that ZnS is an efficient nanocatalyst that could be effectively used for the removal of environmental pollutants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akhtar MS, Malik MA, Alghamdi YG, Ahmad KS, Riaz S, Naseem S (2015) Chemical bath deposition of Fe-doped ZnS thin films: investigations of their ferromagnetic and half-metallic properties. Mater Sci Semicond Process 39:283–291

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali M, Avais M, Hussain R, Prince K, Ijaz M, Chaudhry M, Firyal S, Aqib AI, Khan NU, Sarwar MS (2018) Epidemiology and in vitro drug susceptibility of mecA positive MDR S. aureus from camel subclinical mastitis. Pak J Zool 45:603–609

    Google Scholar 

  • Amirian F, Molaei M, Karimipour M, Bahador AR (2018) A new and simple UV-assisted approach for synthesis of water soluble ZnS and transition metals doped ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) and investigating optical and photocatalyst properties. J Lumin 196:174–180

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bodke MR, Purushotham Y, Dole BN (2014) Crystallographic and optical studies on Cr doped ZnS nanocrystals. Cerâmica 60(355):425–428

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bodke M, Khawal H, Gawai U, Dole B (2015) Synthesis and characterization of chromium doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles. Open Access Library J 2(5):8p

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Li D, Liu B, Peng Z, Gurzadyan GG, Xiong Q, Sun H (2010) Optical and excitonic properties of crystalline ZnS nanowires: toward efficient ultraviolet emission at room temperature. Nano Lett 10(12):4956–4961

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dumbrava A, Berger D, Prodan G, Moscalu F, Diacon A (2017) Considerations about the dependence of PEGylated ZnS nanoparticles properties on the synthesis method. Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chem 232(1):61–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Eyasu A, Yadav OP, Bachheti RK (2013) Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye using Cr-doped ZnS nanoparticles under visible radiation. Int J Chem Tech Res 5(4):1452–1461

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fang W, Xu C, Zheng J, Chen G, Jiang K (2015) Fabrication of Cu–Ag bimetal nanotube-based copper silicates for enhancement of antibacterial activities. RSC Adv 5:39612–39619

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu X, Ban G, Li D, Chen H, Peng Z (2014) Synthesis and characterization of one-dimensional porous (Zn, Cd) S/SiO2 composite nanostructural materials. Adv Condens Matter Phys 2014:758572

    Google Scholar 

  • Haider A, Ijaz M, Imran M, Naz M, Majeed H, Khan J, Ali M, Ikram M (2019) Enhanced bactericidal action and dye degradation of spicy roots’ extract-incorporated fine-tuned metal oxide nanoparticles. Appl Nanosci pp 1–10.

  • Hans M, Támara JC, Mathews S, Bax B, Hegetschweiler A, Kautenburger R, Solioz M, Mücklich F (2014) Laser cladding of stainless steel with a copper–silver alloy to generate surfaces of high antimicrobial activity. Appl Surf Sci 320:195–199

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Indana MK, Gangapuram BR, Dadigala R, Bandi R, Guttena V (2016) A novel green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using gum tragacanth and evaluation of their potential catalytic reduction activities with methylene blue and Congo red dyes. J Anal Sci Technol 7(1):19

    Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal MJ, Iqbal S (2013) Synthesis of stable and highly luminescent beryllium and magnesium doped ZnS quantum dots suitable for design of photonic and sensor material. J Lumin 134:739–746

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iwalokun B, Ogunledun A, Ogbolu D, Bamiro S, Jimi-Omojola J (2004) In vitro antimicrobial properties of aqueous garlic extract against multidrug-resistant bacteria and Candida species from Nigeria. J Med Food 7:327–333

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jabeen U, Shah SM, Khan SU (2017) Photo catalytic degradation of Alizarin red S using ZnS and cadmium doped ZnS nanoparticles under unfiltered sunlight. Surf Interfac 6:40–49

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jothibas M, Manoharan C, Jeyakumar SJ, Praveen P, Punithavathy IK, Richard JP (2018) Synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic property of Ni doped ZnS nanoparticles. Sol Energy 159:434–443

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Junaid M, Imran M, Ikram M, Naz M, Aqeel M, Afzal H, Majeed H, Ali S (2019) The study of Fe-doped CdS nanoparticle-assisted photocatalytic degradation of organic dye in wastewater. Appl Nanosci 9(8):1593–1602

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur P, Kumar S, Singh A, Chen CL, Dong CL, Chan TS, Lee KP, Srivastava C, Rao SM, Wu MK (2015) Investigations on doping induced changes in structural, electronic structure and magnetic behavior of spintronic Cr–ZnS nanoparticles. Superlattices Microstruct 83:785–795

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar J, Thangaraj R, Sharma S, Singh RC (2017) Enhanced dielectric permittivity and photoluminescence in Cr doped ZnS nanoparticles. Appl Surf Sci 416:296–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuppayee M, Nachiyar GV, Ramasamy V (2011) Synthesis and characterization of Cu2+ doped ZnS nanoparticles using TOPO and SHMP as capping agents. Appl Surf Sci 257(15):6779–6786

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Madkour M, Al Sagheer F (2017) Au/ZnS and Ag/ZnS nanoheterostructures as regenerated nanophotocatalysts for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. Optical Materials Express 7(1):158–169

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Molaei M (2013) Synthesis of ZnS: Ni nanocrystals (NCs) using a thermochemical approach and investigation of the photoluminescence properties. J Lumin 136:38–41

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Molaei M, Hasheminejad H, Karimipour M (2015) Synthesizing and investigating photoluminescence properties of CdTe and CdTe@ CdS core-shell quantum dots (QDs): a new and simple microwave activated approach for growth of CdS shell around CdTe core. Electron Mater Lett 11(1):7–12

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muhammad G, Naureen A, Asi MN, Saqib M (2010) Evaluation of a 3% surf solution (surf field mastitis test) for the diagnosis of subclinical bovine and bubaline mastitis. Trop Anim Health Prod 42:457–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray RG, Holt JG (2005) The history of Bergey’s manual, in: Bergey’s manual® of systematic bacteriology. Springer, pp 1–14.

  • Offor PO, Nwanya AC, Omah AD, Daniel-Mkpume CC, Maaza M, Okorie BA, Ezema FI (2017) Chemical spray pyrolysis deposition of zinc sulphide thin films using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt complexant. J Solid State Electrochem 21(9):2687–2697

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ou K, Wang S, Wan G, Huang M, Zhang Y, Bai L, Yi L (2017) A study of structural, morphological and optical properties of nanostructured ZnSe/ZnS multilayer thin films. J Alloy Compd 726:707–711

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panáček A, Kvitek L, Prucek R, Kolář M, Večeřová R, Pizúrová N, Sharma VK, Nevěčná TJ, Zbořil R (2006) Silver colloid nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and their antibacterial activity. J Phys Chem B 110:16248–16253

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajan PI, Vijaya JJ, Jesudoss SK, Kaviyarasu K, Kennedy LJ, Jothiramalingam R, Al-Lohedan HA, Vaali-Mohammed MA (2017) Green-fuel-mediated synthesis of self-assembled NiO nano-sticks for dual applications—photocatalytic activity on rose Bengal dye and antimicrobial action on bacterial strains. Materials Res Express 4(8):085030

    Google Scholar 

  • Raza A, Ikram M, Aqeel M, Imran M, Ul-Hamid A, Riaz KN, Ali S (2019) Enhanced industrial dye degradation using co doped in chemically exfoliated MoS 2 nanosheets. Appl Nanosci pp 1–10.

  • Reddy DA, Divya A, Murali G, Vijayalakshmi RP, Reddy BK (2011) Synthesis and optical properties of Cr doped ZnS nanoparticles capped by 2-mercaptoethanol. Phys B 406(10):1944–1949

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruparelia JP, Chatterjee AK, Duttagupta SP, Mukherji S (2008) Strain specificity in antimicrobial activity of silver and copper nanoparticles. Acta Biomater 4:707–716

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saikia D, Raland RD, Borah JP (2016) Influence of Fe doping on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of ZnS diluted magnetic semiconductor. Physica E 83:56–63

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salam WT, Ikram M, Shahzadi I, Imran M, Junaid M, Aqeel M, Anjum S, Shahzadi A, Afzal H, Sattar U, Asghar A (2018) Doping dependent structural, optical, thermal and catalysis properties of synthesized cadmium sulfide nanoparticles. Nanosci Nanotechnol Lett 10(12):1662–1670

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh A, Limaye M, Singh S, Lalla NP, Malek CK, Kulkarni S (2008) A facile and fast approach for the synthesis of doped nanoparticles using a microfluidic device. Nanotechnology 19(24):245613

    Google Scholar 

  • Sulieman KM, Huang X, Tang M (2006) Growth and photoluminescence of single crystal ZnS nanowires. J Appl Sci 6(14):2940–2943

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vidhu VK, Philip D (2014) Catalytic degradation of organic dyes using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. Micron 56:54–62

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vineeshkumar TV, Raj DR, Prasanth S, Unnikrishnan NV, Pillai VM, Sudarasanakumar C (2018) Fe induced optical limiting properties of Zn1–xFexS nanospheres. Opt Laser Technol 99:220–229

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wahab A, Imran M, Ikram M, Naz M, Aqeel M, Rafiq A, Majeed H, Ali S (2019) Dye degradation property of cobalt and manganese doped iron oxide nanoparticles. Appl Nanosci 9(8):1823–1832

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye Z, Kong L, Chen F, Chen Z, Lin Y, Liu C (2018) A comparative study of photocatalytic activity of ZnS photocatalyst for degradation of various dyes. Optik 164:345–354

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Jiang F, Zhang L (2004) Fabrication of single-crystalline semiconductor CdS nanobelts by vapor transport. J Phys Chem B 108(22):7002–7005

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Song Y, Xu C, Guo D (2012a) A novel model for undeformed nanometer chips of soft-brittle HgCdTe films induced by ultrafine diamond grits. Scripta Mater 67(2):197–200

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Huo F, Zhang X, Guo D (2012b) Fabrication and size prediction of crystalline nanoparticles of silicon induced by nanogrinding with ultrafine diamond grits. Scripta Mater 67(7–8):657–660

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Huo Y, Guo D (2013) A model for nanogrinding based on direct evidence of ground chips of silicon wafers. Sci China Technol Sci 56(9):2099–2108

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Guo D, Wang B, Kang R, Zhang B (2015a) A novel approach of high speed scratching on silicon wafers at nanoscale depths of cut. Sci Rep 5:16395

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Wang B, Kang R, Zhang B, Guo D (2015b) Changes in surface layer of silicon wafers from diamond scratching. CIRP Ann 64(1):349–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Cui J, Wang B, Wang Z, Kang R, Guo D (2017a) A novel approach of mechanical chemical grinding. J Alloy Compd 726:514–524

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Du Y, Wang B, Wang Z, Kang R, Guo D (2017b) Nanoscale wear layers on silicon wafers induced by mechanical chemical grinding. Tribol Lett 65(4):132

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Shi Z, Du Y, Yu Z, Guo L, Guo D (2018) A novel approach of chemical mechanical polishing for a titanium alloy using an environment-friendly slurry. Appl Surf Sci 427:409–415

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Cui J, Zhang J, Liu D, Yu Z, Guo D (2019) Environment friendly chemical mechanical polishing of copper. Appl Surf Sci 467:5–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, W., Wei, Z., Zhang, L., Wu, X., Wang, X. and Jiang, J., 2017. Room Temperature Ferromagnetic and Optical Properties of Chrome Doped ZnS Nanorods Prepared by Hydrothermal Method. J Nanomaterials, 2017.

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to Higher Education Commission Pakistan for financial support through SRGP-21-1669.

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. Aqeel and M. Ikram are equal contributors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solar Cell Applications Research Lab, Department of Physics, Government College University Lahore, Lahore, 54000, Punjab, Pakistan

    M. Aqeel, M. Ikram & A. Asghar

  2. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Punjab, Pakistan

    A. Haider

  3. Center for Engineering Research, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    A. Ul-Hamid

  4. Biochemistry Lab, Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    M. Naz

  5. State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing Engineering Center for Hierarchical Catalysts, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China

    M. Imran

  6. Department of Physics, Riphah Institute of Computing and Applied Sciences (RICAS), Riphah International University, 14 Ali Road, Lahore, Pakistan

    S. Ali

Authors
  1. M. Aqeel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Ikram
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Asghar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Haider
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Ul-Hamid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Naz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M. Imran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. S. Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Ikram.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Authors confirm that this manuscript has no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aqeel, M., Ikram, M., Asghar, A. et al. Synthesis of capped Cr-doped ZnS nanoparticles with improved bactericidal and catalytic properties to treat polluted water. Appl Nanosci 10, 2045–2055 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-020-01268-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-020-01268-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation