Evaluating the photocatalytic properties of zinc sulfide and zinc indium sulfide microspheres: A comparative approach

Present article delves into the synthesis and evaluation of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and indium-doped zinc sulfide (ZnIn₂S₄) or ZIS microspheres, focusing on their photocatalytic prowess. These microspheres were synthesized using a low-temperature, one-pot solution method.The photocatalytic performance was assessed using two distinct dye solutions, methylene blue (MB) and direct red 80 (DR-80), elucidating their efficacy in pollutant degradation. Remarkably, the addition of indium significantly augmented the optoelectronic and catalytic properties of the microspheres. The structural analysis via XRD and FESEM revealed distinct lattice structures, while UV–Vis spectroscopy showed different band gap values induced by indium doping viz. 3.8 eV for ZnS and 2.1 eV for ZnIn₂S₄. Zeta sizer, fluorescence spectroscopy, and TRPL provided insights into size, potential, and electron exciton lifetimes. ZnIn₂S₄ as compared to ZnS displayed superior photocatalytic activity, especially towards cationic dyes, emphasizing the significance of indium doping in enhancing photocatalytic efficiency and understanding structural-electronic characteristics in semiconductor microspheres.