Enhanced photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen evolution of ZnS nanoparticles by (Co, Er) co-doping

In this study, pristine, Co-doped, Er-doped, and (Co, Er) co-doped ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared through a simple co-precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction results indicated that Co and Er ions effectively replaced the Zn ions in tetrahedral sites. The adjustable optical bandgap for ZnS was accomplished via doping and co-doping. All the fabricated NPs portrayed identical blue emission with different fluorescence efficiencies. The (Co, Er) co-doped NPs exhibited enhanced photocatalytic dye (Malachite Green) degradation compared to those of the remaining NPs under artificial solar spectrum. In addition, these samples were measured for hydrogen production by water splitting through artificial solar light illumination. Among them, (Co, Er) co-doped NPs displayed the highest hydrogen production capability (9824 mu mol h (1)g (1)) in 5 h. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.