Synthesis and characterization of Ce2S3-ZnS-CuS nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity.

ZnS-CuS nanoparticles were prepared by a controlled coprecipitation method and ZnS-CuS-Ce2S3 nanoparticles were prepared by ball milling. The photocatalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and terephthalic acid photoluminescence probing technique. The photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts was evaluated by photocatalytic reduction of Cr2O7(2-), nitrobenzene and photocatalytic oxidation of methyl orange. The results showed that the optimal preparation condition of ZnS-CuS is 200 degrees C for 7 h. The optimal doped amount of Ce2S3 for Ce2S3-ZnS-CuS photocatalyst is 1.0 wt%, and the optimal ball milling time is 16 h. For the ZnS-CuS photocatalyst, the photooxidation efficiency of methyl orange and the photoreduction efficiency of Cr2O7(2-) were 27.4% and 60.7%, respectively; and for Ce2S3-ZnS-CuS photocatalysts, they were 73.6% and 83.1%, respectively. The production efficiency of aniline for ZnS-CuS and Ce2S3-ZnS-CuS were 25.4% and 31.3%, respectively. The mechanisms of influence on the photocatalytic activity were also discussed.