Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of CdS/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles and application in removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution

In the present work, CdS/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized with the aid of Cd(NO3)(2) and Zn(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O as the starting reagents in presence of ultrasonic irradiation. Besides, the effects of preparation parameters such as ultrasonic power, irradiation time and precursor concentration on the morphology CdS/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles and removal of heavy metals (Hg2+, Pb2+) were studied by SEM images and batch adsorption mode. The as-synthesized products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution field-emission transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), spectra energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) techniques. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.