SYNTHESIS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL STUDY OF ZINC SULFIDE NANOPARTICLES

Abstract

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles were synthesized using the coprecipitation method with thioacetamide and zinc acetate dihydrate as precursors. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL), and UV-visible spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the zinc blende structure with well-defined (111), (220), and (311) planes. SEM revealed an agglomerated, polygonal-shaped morphology. FTIR spectroscopy identified the functional groups present. The UV-visible absorption peak at 302 nm indicated a quantum size effect-induced blue shift. Deconvoluted PL spectra showed emission peaks at approximately 439 nm and 492 nm. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated the nanoparticles' electrocatalytic properties, with the lowest overpotential observed at a 50 mV/sec scan rate for the oxygen evolution reaction in an alkaline medium.