Synthesis of cactus-like zincoxysulfide (ZnO_xS_(1-x)) nanostructures assisted by a task-specific ionic liquid and their photocatalytic activities

摘要

A hydrothermal method has been employed to prepare cactus-like zincoxysulfide ZnO_xS_(1-x) nanostructures with the assistance of a dicationic task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL), [mim]{(CH)_2}_3|imm](SCN)_2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that this TSIL with the SCN anion has been used in place of conventional reagents as a source of S to prepare a ZnO_xS_(1-x) nanostructure. The photocatalytic activities of the ZnO_xS_(1-x) nanostructures have been compared using UV and visible lights. BET results showed that the surface areas and photocatalytic activities of cactus-like zincoxysulfide ZnO_xS_(1-x) nanostructures were higher than those of other samples. ZnO_xS_(1-x) nanostructures with cactus-like morphology exhibited a significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of methyl orange (MO) as compared to other samples, as revealed by photoluminescence measurements. This could be attributed to enhanced oxygen vacancies and crystallite defects formed as a result of substitution of S~(2-) in the lattice of ZnO.