Absence of photocatalytic activity in the presence of the photoluminescence property of Mn-ZnS nanoparticles prepared by a facile wet chemical method at room temperature

Mn-doped ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared with dopants at various concentrations using a facile, simple and inexpensive wet chemical method at room temperature. The physicochemical properties of NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis) and photoluminescence (PL). XRD analysis confirmed formation of ZnS with zinc blende structure and average crystallite size of about 2 nm. TEM analysis revealed formation of hyperfine NPs with rather good uniformity. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of ZnS:Mn2+ exhibited an orange-red emission around 600 nm. The maximum PL intensity was observed for 7.5% Mn doped ZnS. The photocatalytic performance of ZnS:Mn2+ was successfully demonstrated for degradation of three different model dyes (i.e. Rhodimine B (Rh. B), Bromocresol Green (BCG) and Bromochlorophenol Blue (BCB)). The results revealed that not only was there a remarkable difference in photocatalytic performance of Mn doped ZnS for all three different dyes at different dopant concentrations but also photocatalytic activity was decreased by Mn doping.