Preparation and morphological studies of tin sulfide nanoparticles and use as efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of rhodamine B and phenol

Tin sulfide nanoparticles were prepared from tin(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes: bis(benzylmethyl dithiocarbamate)tin(ii) (SnS1), bis(dibenzyl dithiocarbamato)tin(ii) (SnS2), and bis(imidazolyldithiocarbamato)tin(ii) (SnS3) single-source precursors. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the as-prepared tin sulfide nanoparticles confirmed orthorhombic crystalline phase irrespective of the tin(ii) dithiocarbamate precursors used to prepare the tin sulfide nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopic images showed SnS nanoparticles with average particle size of 1.35 +/- 0.04 nm for SnS1, 2.63 +/- 0.65 nm for SnS2, and 1.55 +/- 0.15 nm for SnS3. The energy bandgap of the SnS nanoparticles obtained from Tauc plots are in the range 3.80-4.37 eV. The as-prepared SnS nanoparticles were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of rhodamine B with efficiency of 90.97, 61.53, and 80.26% for SnS1, SnS2, and SnS3, respectively, while for phenol degradation efficiency was 96.45, 75.13, and 90.69% after 180 min. The results indicate that the as-prepared SnS nanoparticle are efficient photocatalyst for rhodamine B and phenol degradation. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and phenol follows pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics model from which the photodegradation rate could be obtained. Scavenger studies show that electrons (e(-)), hydroxy radicals (OH), and holes (h(+)) play significant role in the photodegradation of rhodamine B and phenol by the SnS nanoparticles. Recyclability studies show the SnS photocatalyst could be reused for four cycles without losing its photodegradation ability.

Automated summary

Tin sulfide nanoparticles were prepared using different tin(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes as precursors. The nanoparticles exhibited orthorhombic crystalline structure, small average particle size, and narrow energy bandgap. They showed efficient photocatalytic performance in the degradation of rhodamine B and phenol, and could be repeatedly used without loss of their photodegradation ability.