Piezocatalytic ZnS:Mn2+ Nanocrystals for Enhanced Organic Dye Degradation
- Univ. of California, Riverside, CA (United States)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Piezocatalysis, an emerging approach that harnesses mechanical energy to drive chemical reactions, has garnered significant attention due to its potential applications in diverse fields, particularly in environmental remediation. Its broader application, however, is often hindered by the low efficiency of existing piezocatalytic materials. Here, we report the synthesis of Mn2+-doped ZnS nanocrystals with improved piezoelectric properties using an emulsion-based colloidal assembly technique. Through well-controlled Mn2+ doping, these nanocrystals demonstrate high piezocatalytic activity for degrading organic dyes under ultrasonic vibration. The optimal performance is achieved with 3% Mn2+ doping, outperforming many existing piezocatalysts. Mechanistic studies reveal the generation of reactive oxygen species as the primary driving force for degradation. Notably, pre-excitation with UV light further boosts the piezocatalytic efficiency of these metal ion-doped ZnS nanocrystals by filling electron trap states, leading to improved overall performance. This research paves the way for developing high-performance piezocatalysts, expanding the potential of piezocatalysis for a wide range of applications.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 2491436
- Journal Information:
- Materials and Interfaces, Journal Name: Materials and Interfaces Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1; ISSN 2982-2394
- Publisher:
- ScilightCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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