Fabrication of metal sulfide porous foams via electrodeposition and galvanic replacement reaction

• Fabrication and characterization of metal sulfide porous foams with nanostructure walls.
• Convenient procedure as electrodeposition and galvanic replacement reaction were used.
• The fabrication can be performed using commercially available reagents.
• Water is used as a green solvent with no need to any additive.
• The fabricated foam shows good photocatalytic activity.

A simple and non toxic method is reported for fabrication of metal sulfide foams such as Cu2S, Ag2S and CdS. The presented method is mainly based on the electrochemical fabrication of metal foam and galvanic replacement reaction. Cu2S and Ag2S foams are synthesized by immersing as-fabricated Cu and Ag foams in aqueous sulfide solution. Furthermore, another method is used for fabrication of Ag2S foam based on immersing of as-prepared Cu2S foam in AgNO3 solution. Electrodeposition of CdS on as-fabricated Cu foam electrode is performed potentiostatically using a two electrode setup in an aqueous solution of CdSO4, EDTA, and Na2S2O3. The synthesis process is rapid and convenient. The as-fabricated foams were characterized through XRD, BET, SEM and EDX analysis. The obtained data revile fabrication of Cu2S, Ag2S and CdS foams with porous and ramified walls and high surface area. The applicability of as-fabricated Cu2S in the photodegradation of methylene blue is reported, as a proof of concept. The proposed approaches demonstrate a practical route toward preparation of porous metal sulfide foams via electrodeposition and galvanic replacement.

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