Synthesis and characterization of CdS nanoparticles using C-phycoerythrin from the marine cyanobacteria

In the background that the marine cyanobacteria offer great potentials as source of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, etc., in the present study the pigment, C-phycoerythrin (C-PE) extracted from the marine cyanobacterium, Phormidium tenue NTDM05 was used to synthesize CdS nanoparticles. The CdS nanoparticles thus synthesized were characterized adopting UV–Visible spectrum, Fourier transform infra-red spectrum, EDAX and transmission electron microscopy. The size of the CdS nanoparticles was found to be about 5 nm. Essentially, it was found that the pigment stabilized the CdS nanoparticles. The pigments labeled CdS nanoparticles could be applied as a biolabel.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of CdS nanoparticles with natural pigment c-phycoerythrin. ► C-PE plays an important role in the formation of CdS nanoparticles and capping them. ► The spherical shaped 5 nm sized CdS nanoparticle have been synthesized. ► This may be the first report on the pigment based synthesis of CdS nanoparticles.