Synthesis and characterization of flakes-like and flowers-like Ni: CdS nano films via hydrothermal technique for photocatalytic activity

In this paper, a hydrothermal method has been used to synthesize Ni-doped CdS (Ni-CdS) flowers-like with high-surface area by using simple materials with different Ni concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%). Structural, morphological, and optical characteristics were described by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FE-SEM, AFM, UV-Visible, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The pattern of XRD shows that all films have the preferential orientation at H (002)/C (111) with hexagonal and cubic phases, with crystallite sizes ranging from 10.7 to 7.3 nm. The transmittance and energy gap at different doping concentrations were measured and calculated. Results show an increase in Ni doping concentration decreased the energy gap. FE-SEM images proved the nano-flaked and flower-like nanostructures. The performance of the undoped and doped CdS films was examined for the photocatalytic of organic dyes (methyl blue and methyl violet). In addition, the degradation of dyes in an aqueous solution under xenon light at room temperature of the CdS and Ni: CdS films were evaluated.

Automated summary

A hydrothermal method was used to synthesize Ni-doped CdS (Ni-CdS) flowers-like nanostructures with high-surface area using different Ni concentrations. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics were determined by various techniques. The results showed that increasing Ni doping concentration resulted in a decrease in the energy gap and the formation of flower-like nanostructures. The photocatalytic performance of the Ni-CdS films for organic dye degradation was evaluated under xenon light at room temperature.