Synthesis, characterisation and photocatalytic performance of ZnS coupled Ag2S nanoparticles: A remediation model for environmental pollutants

Each of the synthesized material was tested as potential photocatalyst candidate for the degradation of representative azo-dyes (Crystal Violet, Congo Red) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (Naphthalene, Phenanthrene and Pyrene) under visible light irradiation source. The degradation efficiency of the synthesized nanoparticles was calculated to be more than 70% for Crystal Violet and 80%for Congo Red upon contact with the dye solutions for 50 min and pseudo second order kinetic model was found to be the best fit. The synthesized nanoparticles were also effective in its own significance for the degradation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The fragmentation study of polyaromatic hydrocarbons using nanoparticles postulates that phthalic acid pathway is the predominant mechanism for PAHs. It is recommended that environmental compartment with mix pollutants can conveniently be treated with a single material to an appreciable extent. The study offers economical and environment friendly remediation model.