Abstract
In recent years, the growing concern over the presence of toxic aquatic pollutants has prompted intensive research into effective and environmentally friendly remediation methods. Photocatalysis using semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) has developed as a promising technology for pollutant degradation. Among various QD materials, indium phosphide (InP) and its hybrid with zinc sulfide (ZnS) have gained considerable attention due to their unique optical and photocatalytic properties. Herein, InP and InP/ZnS QDs were employed for the removal of dyes (crystal violet, and congo red), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (pyrene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene), and pesticides (deltamethrin) in the presence of visible light. The degradation efficiencies of crystal violet (CV) and congo red (CR) were 74.54% and 88.12% with InP, and 84.53% and 91.78% with InP/ZnS, respectively, within 50 min of reaction. The InP/ZnS showed efficient performance for the removal of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). For example, the removal percentage for naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene was 99.8%, 99.6%, and 88.97% after the photocatalytic reaction. However, the removal percentage of InP/ZnS for pesticide deltamethrin was 90.2% after 90 min light irradiation. Additionally, advanced characterization techniques including UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis), photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) elemental mapping, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to analyze the crystal structure, morphology, and purity of the fabricated materials in detail. The particle size results obtained from TEM are in the range of 2.28–4.60 nm. Both materials (InP and InP/ZnS) exhibited a spherical morphology, displaying distinct lattice fringes. XRD results of InP depicted lattice planes (111), (220), and (311) in good agreement with cubic geometry. Furthermore, the addition of dopants was discovered to enhance the thermal stability of the fabricated material. In addition, QDs exhibited efficacy in the breakdown of PAHs. The analysis of their fragmentation suggests that the primary mechanism for PAHs degradation is the phthalic acid pathway.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding authors.
Code availability
Not applicable.
References
Arias-Cerón J, González-Araoz M, Bautista-Hernández A, Sánchez Ramírez JF, Herrera-Perez JL, Mendoza-Álvarez J (2012) Semiconductor nanocrystals of InP@ZnS: synthesis and characterization. Superficies y Vacío 25:134–138
Artemyev MV, Woggon U, Wannemacher R, Jaschinski H, Langbein W (2001) Light trapped in a photonic dot: microspheres act as a cavity for quantum dot emission. Nano Lett 1:309–314. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl015545l
AttariKhasraghi N, Zare K, Mehrizad A, Modirshahla N, Behnajady MA (2021a) Zeolite 4A supported CdS/g-C3N4 type-II heterojunction: a novel visible-light-active ternary nanocomposite for potential photocatalytic degradation of cefoperazone. J Mol Liq 342:117479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117479
AttariKhasraghi N, Zare K, Mehrizad A, Modirshahla N, Behnajady MA (2021b) Achieving the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of ceftriaxone sodium using CdS-g-C3N4 nanocomposite under visible light irradiation: RSM modeling and optimization. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 31:3164–3174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-021-01967-6
Ayodhya D, Veerabhadram G (2016) Green synthesis, characterization, photocatalytic, fluorescence and antimicrobial activities of Cochlospermum gossypium capped Ag2S nanoparticles. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol 157:57–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.02.002
Azizi-Toupkanloo H, Karimi-Nazarabad M, Shakeri M, Eftekhari M (2019) Photocatalytic mineralization of hard-degradable morphine by visible light-driven Ag@g-C3N4 nanostructures. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:30941–30953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06274-9
Barman B, Sarma K (2011) Luminescence properties of ZnS quantum dots embedded in polymer matrix. Chalcogenide Lett 8:171–176
Bear JC, Hollingsworth N, Roffey A, McNaughter PD, Mayes AG, Macdonald TJ, Nann T, Ng WH, Kenyon AJ, Hogarth G (2015) Doping group IIB metal ions into quantum dot shells via the one-pot decomposition of metal-dithiocarbamates. Adv Opt Mater 3:704–712. https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.201400570
Chepape KF, Mofokeng TP, Nyamukamba P, Mubiayi KP, Moloto MJ (2017) Enhancing photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue using PVP-capped and uncapped CdSe nanoparticles. J Nanotechnol 2017:5340784. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5340784
Corsini E, Liesivuori J, Vergieva T, Van Loveren H, Colosio C (2008) Effects of pesticide exposure on the human immune system. Hum Exp Toxicol 27:671–680. https://doi.org/10.1177/0960327108094509
Corsini E, Sokooti M, Galli CL, Moretto A, Colosio C (2013) Pesticide induced immunotoxicity in humans: a comprehensive review of the existing evidence. Toxicology 307:123–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2012.10.009
Derfus AM, Chan WCW, Bhatia SN (2004) Probing the cytotoxicity of semiconductor quantum dots. Nano Lett 4:11–18. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl0347334
Dethlefsen JR, Døssing A (2011) Preparation of a ZnS shell on CdSe quantum dots using a single-molecular ZnS precursor. Nano Lett 11:1964–1969. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl200211n
Drbohlavova J, Adam V, Kizek R, Hubalek J (2009) Quantum dots - characterization, preparation and usage in biological systems. Int J Mol Sci 656–673. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms10020656.
Fatone F, Di Fabio S, Bolzonella D, Cecchi F (2011) Fate of aromatic hydrocarbons in Italian municipal wastewater systems: an overview of wastewater treatment using conventional activated-sludge processes (CASP) and membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Water Res 45:93–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2010.08.011
Felix A, Amenaghawon A, Mededode A (2014) Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of naphthalene using periwinkle shell ash: effect of operating variables, kinetic and isotherm study. S Afr J Chem Eng 19:31–45. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC157114
Geng Q, Cui W (2010) Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of reactive brilliant red K-2BP by TiO2/AC in bubbling fluidized bed photocatalytic reactor. Ind Eng Chem Res 49:11321–11330. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie101533x
Gharbani P, Mehrizad A, Mosavi SA (2022) Optimization, kinetics and thermodynamics studies for photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue using cadmium selenide nanoparticles. npj Clean Water 5:34. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-022-00178-x
Gupta VK, Ali I, Saleh TA, Nayak A, Agarwal S (2012) Chemical treatment technologies for waste-water recycling-an overview. RSC Adv 2:6380–6388. https://doi.org/10.1039/C2RA20340E
Hadibarata T, Tachibana S (2010) Characterization of phenanthrene degradation by strain Polyporus sp. S133. J Environ Sci 22:142–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(09)60085-1
Hassan SS, El Azab WI, Ali HR, Mansour MS (2015) Green synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of anthracene. Adv Nat Sci: Nanosci Nanotechnol 6:045012. https://doi.org/10.1088/2043-6262/6/4/045012
Haubold S, Haase M, Kornowski A, Weller H (2001) Strongly luminescent InP/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles. ChemPhysChem 2:331–334. https://doi.org/10.1002/1439-7641(20010518)2:5%3c331::AID-CPHC331%3e3.0.CO;2-0
Hu J-S, Ren L-L, Guo Y-G, Liang H-P, Cao A-M, Wan L-J, Bai C-L (2005) Mass production and high photocatalytic activity of ZnS nanoporous nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 117:1295–1299. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.200462057
Jo J-H, Kim J-H, Lee S-H, Jang HS, Jang DS, Lee JC, Park KU, Choi Y, Ha C, Yang H (2015) Photostability enhancement of InP/ZnS quantum dots enabled by In2O3 overcoating. J Alloys Compd 647:6–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2015.05.245
Kameli S, Mehrizad A (2019) Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of Ag-ZnS/rGO and its utilization in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation. Photochem Photobiol 95:512–521. https://doi.org/10.1111/php.12998
Kaur H, Hippargi G, Pophali GR, Bansiwal AK (2019) 6 - Treatment methods for removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products from domestic wastewater, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products: Waste Management and Treatment Technology. Butterworth-Heinemann, pp 129–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816189-0.00006-8
Khan S, Aijun L, Zhang S, Hu Q, Zhu Y-G (2008) Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in lettuce grown in the soils contaminated with long-term wastewater irrigation. J Hazard Mater 152:506–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.07.014
Khataee AR, Pons MN, Zahraa O (2009) Photocatalytic degradation of three azo dyes using immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles on glass plates activated by UV light irradiation: Influence of dye molecular structure. J Hazard Mater 168:451–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.02.052
Kim MR, Chung JH, Lee M, Lee S, Jang D-J (2010) Fabrication, spectroscopy, and dynamics of highly luminescent core-shell InP@ZnSe quantum dots. J Colloid Interface Sci 350:5–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2010.06.037
Kumar S, Dhiman A, Sudhagar P, Krishnan V (2018) ZnO-graphene quantum dots heterojunctions for natural sunlight-driven photocatalytic environmental remediation. Appl Surf Sci 447:802–815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.04.045
Kumar A, Gora MK, Lal G, Choudhary BL, Meena PL, Dhaka RS, Singhal RK, Kumar S, Dolia SN (2023) Impact of Gd3+ doping on structural, electronic, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties of MnFe2O4 nanoferrites and application in dye-polluted wastewater remediation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30:18820–18842. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23420-y
Lal Meena P, Kumar Saini J (2023) Synthesis of polymer-metal oxide (PANI/ZnO/MnO2) ternary nanocomposite for effective removal of water pollutants. Results Chem 5:100764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2023.100764
Lal Meena P, Kumar Saini J, Kumar Surela A, Poswal K (2022) Kinetic and equilibrium study of trinitrophenol adsorption onto polyaniline tea waste nanocomposite from aqueous medium. Holist Approach Environ 12:131–143. https://doi.org/10.33765/thate.12.4.1
Lal Meena P, Kumar Saini J, Kumar Surela A (2023) Granite waste mediated synthesis of polyaniline nanofibers for the catalytic reduction of hazardous organic water toxins. Inorg Chem Commun 152:110688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2023.110688
Langof L, Fradkin L, Ehrenfreund E, Lifshitz E, Micic OI, Nozik AJ (2004) Colloidal InP/ZnS core-shell nanocrystals studied by linearly and circularly polarized photoluminescence. Chem Phys 297:93–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemphys.2003.10.016
Lauth J, Strupeit T, Kornowski A, Weller H (2013) A transmetalation route for colloidal GaAs nanocrystals and additional III–V semiconductor materials. Chem Mater 25:1377–1383. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm3019617
Li J, Xu Y, Liu Y, Wu D, Sun Y (2004) Synthesis of hydrophilic ZnS nanocrystals and their application in photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants. China Particuology 2:266–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-2515(07)60072-4
Li Y, Chen G, Wang Q, Wang X, Zhou A, Shen Z (2010) Hierarchical ZnS-In2S3-CuS nanospheres with nanoporous structure: facile synthesis, growth mechanism, and excellent photocatalytic activity. Adv Funct Mater 20:3390–3398. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201000604
Li D, Tong Y, Huang J, Ding L, Zhong Y, Zeng D, Yan P (2011) First observation of tetranitro iron (II) phthalocyanine catalyzed oxidation of phenolic pollutant assisted with 4-aminoantipyrine using dioxygen as oxidant. J Mol Catal A Chem 345:108–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2011.06.002
Lim J, Bae WK, Lee D, Nam MK, Jung J, Lee C, Char K, Lee S (2011) InP@ZnSeS, core@composition gradient shell quantum dots with enhanced stability. Chem Mater 23:4459–4463. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm201550w
Linda T, Muthupoongodi S, SahayaShajan X, Balakumar S (2016) Photocatalytic degradation of congo red and crystal violet dyes on cellulose/PVC/ZnO composites under UV light irradiation. Mater Today: Proc 3:2035–2041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2016.04.106
Manoli E, Samara C (2008) The removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the wastewater treatment process: experimental calculations and model predictions. Environ Pollut 151:477–485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.04.009
Mansur AAP, Mansur HS, Ramanery FP, Oliveira LC, Souza PP (2014) “Green” colloidal ZnS quantum dots/chitosan nano-photocatalysts for advanced oxidation processes: study of the photodegradation of organic dye pollutants. Appl Catal B: Environ 158–159:269–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.04.026
Meena PL, Poswal K, Surela AK, Saini JK (2021a) Facile synthesis of ZnO/CuO/Ag2O ternary metal oxide nanocomposite for effective photodegradation of organic water pollutants. Water Sci Technol 84:2615–2634. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2021.431
Meena PL, Surela AK, Poswal K (2021b) Fabrication of ZnO/CuO hybrid nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) dye in aqueous solutions. J Water Environ Nanotechnol 6:196–211. https://doi.org/10.22090/jwent.2021.03.001
Meena PL, Poswal K, Surela AK (2022a) Facile synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for the effective photodegradation of malachite green dye in aqueous solution. Water Environ J 36:513–524. https://doi.org/10.1111/wej.12783
Meena PL, Poswal K, Surela AK, Saini JK (2022b) Synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride/zinc oxide (g-C3N4/ZnO) hybrid nanostructures and investigation of the effect of ZnO on the photodegradation activity of g-C3N4 against the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) dye under visible light irradiation. Adv Compos Hybrid Mater 6:16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-022-00577-1
Meena PL, Saini JK, Surela AK, Poswal K, Chhachhia LK (2022c) Fabrication of polyaniline-coated porous and fibrous nanocomposite with granular morphology using tea waste carbon for effective removal of rhodamine B dye from water samples. Biomass Convers Biorefin. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-02267-2
Meena PL, Surela AK, Saini JK, Chhachhia LK (2022d) Millettia pinnata plant pod extract-mediated synthesis of Bi2O3 for degradation of water pollutants. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29:79253–79271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21435-z
Meena PL, Poswal K, Surela AK, Meena KS, Mordhiya B (2023a) Ag2O-adorned ZnO nanostructures: cooperative and sustainable nanomaterial system for effective reduction and mineralization of hazardous water pollutants. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30:68770–68791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-27215-7
Meena PL, Saini JK, Surela AK, Mordhiya B, Chhachhia LK, Meena KS (2023b) Fabrication of polyaniline-supported MnO2 nanocomposite for removal of water pollutant: kinetic and isotherm studies. ChemistrySelect 8:e202300724. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202300724
Meena PL,Surela AK, Chhachhia LK (n.d.) Bi2O3 nanoparticles: phytogenic synthesis, effect of calcination on physico-chemical characteristics and photocatalytic activity. Mater Res Innov 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/14328917.2023.2258469
Mehrizad A, Gharbani P (2016) Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution using nano-TiO2/UV process: optimization by response surface methodology. Prog Color Color Coat 9:135–143. https://doi.org/10.30509/pccc.2016.75878
Mehrizad A, Gharbani P (2017a) Optimization of operational variables and kinetic modeling for photocatalytic removal of Direct Blue 14 from aqueous media by ZnS nanoparticles. J Water Health 15:955–965. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2017.269
Mehrizad A, Gharbani P (2017b) Synthesis of ZnS decorated carbon fibers nanocomposite and its application in photocatalytic removal of Rhodamine 6G from aqueous solutions. Prog Color Color Coat 10:13–21. https://doi.org/10.30509/PCCC.2017.75710
Mehrizad A, Aghaie M, Gharbani P, Dastmalchi S, Monajjemi M, Zare K (2012) Comparison of 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol adsorption on single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Iranian J Environ Health Sci Eng 9:5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1735-2746-9-5
Michalet X, Pinaud FF, Bentolila LA, Tsay JM, Doose S, Li JJ, Sundaresan G, Wu AM, Gambhir SS, Weiss S (2005) Quantum dots for live cells, in vivo imaging, and diagnostics. Science 307:538–544. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1104274
Murugadoss G, Jayavel R, Rajesh Kumar M, Thangamuthu R (2016) Synthesis, optical, photocatalytic, and electrochemical studies on Ag2S/ZnS and ZnS/Ag2S nanocomposites. Appl Nanosci 6:503–510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-015-0448-0
Mushonga P, Onani MO, Madiehe AM, Meyer M (2012) Indium phosphide-based semiconductor nanocrystals and their applications. J Nanomater 2012:869284. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/869284
Narayanaswamy A, Feiner LF, van der Zaag PJ (2008) Temperature dependence of the photoluminescence of InP/ZnS quantum dots. J Phys Chem C 112:6775–6780. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp800339m
Nataraj SK, Hosamani KM, Aminabhavi TM (2009) Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis thin film composite membrane module for the removal of dye and salts from the simulated mixtures. Desalination 249:12–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2009.06.008
Omar NYMJ, Mon TC, Rahman NA, Abas MRB (2006) Distributions and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric aerosols of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sci Total Environ 369:76–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.04.032
Ong CB, Mohammad AW, Rohani R, Ba-Abbad MM, Hairom NHH (2016) Solar photocatalytic degradation of hazardous congo red using low-temperature synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Process Saf Environ Prot 104:549–557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2016.04.006
Pidluzhna A, Stakhira P, Baryshnikov G, Zavaraki AJ, Ågren H (2023) InP/ZnS quantum dots synthesis and photovoltaic application. Appl Nanosci 13:4969–4975. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-022-02658-5
Pietrogrande MC, Rossi D, Paganetto G (2003) Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and its metabolites in hepatic microsomal incubations. Anal Chim Acta 480:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(02)01652-5
Reddy DA, Choi J, Lee S, Kim TK (2016) Controlled synthesis of heterostructured Ag@AgI/ZnS microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity and selective separation of methylene blue from mixture dyes. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 66:200–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2016.06.022
Reiss P, Protiere M, Li L (2009) Core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals. Small 5:154–168. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.200800841
Rui Liu H, Jie Wei Y, Chun HuY, Jia W, Ma H, Sheng Jia H (2014) Effects of Ag nanoparticles on morphology and photocatalytic activities of GaN microrods arrays. Mater Lett 134:119–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2014.07.065
Sadollahkhani A, Kazeminezhad I, Nur O, Willander M (2015) Cation exchange assisted low temperature chemical synthesis of ZnO@Ag2S core-shell nanoparticles and their photo-catalytic properties. Mater Chem Phys 163:485–495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2015.08.003
Saravanan R, Gupta VK, Mosquera E, Gracia F (2014) Preparation and characterization of V2O5/ZnO nanocomposite system for photocatalytic application. J Mol Liq 198:409–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2014.07.030
Shi L, Liang L, Ma J, Wang F, Sun J (2014) Remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity of ordered mesoporous carbon/gC3N4 composite photocatalysts under visible light. Dalton Trans 43:7236–7244. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4DT00087K
Silvi S, Credi A (2015) Luminescent sensors based on quantum dot-molecule conjugates. Chem Soc Rev 44:4275–4289. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CS00400K
Szyguła A, Guibal E, Palacín MA, Ruiz M, Sastre AM (2009) Removal of an anionic dye (Acid Blue 92) by coagulation-flocculation using chitosan. J Environ Manag 90:2979–2986. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.04.002
Tsuji I, Kato H, Kudo A (2005) Visible-light-induced H2 evolution from an aqueous solution containing sulfide and sulfite over a ZnS–CuInS2–AgInS2 solid-solution photocatalyst. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 117:3631–3634. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.200500314
Vaidya S, Jain K, Madamwar D (2017) Metabolism of pyrene through phthalic acid pathway by enriched bacterial consortium composed of Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Rhodococcus (PBR). 3 Biotech 7:29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-017-0598-8
Virieux H, Le Troedec M, Cros-Gagneux A, Ojo W-S, Delpech F, Nayral C, Martinez H, Chaudret B (2012) InP/ZnS nanocrystals: coupling NMR and XPS for fine surface and interface description. J Am Chem Soc 134:19701–19708. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja307124m
Xi L, Cho D-Y, Duchamp M, Boothroyd CB, Lek JY, Besmehn A, Waser R, Lam YM, Kardynal B (2014) Understanding the role of single molecular ZnS precursors in the synthesis of In(Zn)P/ZnS nanocrystals. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6:18233–18242. https://doi.org/10.1021/am504988j
Xie R, Peng X (2009) Synthesis of Cu-doped InP nanocrystals (d-dots) with ZnSe diffusion barrier as efficient and color-tunable NIR emitters. J Am Chem Soc 131:10645–10651. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja903558r
Xu S, Ziegler J, Nann T (2008) Rapid synthesis of highly luminescent InP and InP/ZnS nanocrystals. J Mater Chem 18:2653–2656. https://doi.org/10.1039/B803263G
Yong K-T, Ding H, Roy I, Law W-C, Bergey EJ, Maitra A, Prasad PN (2009) Imaging pancreatic cancer using bioconjugated InP quantum dots. ACS Nano 3:502–510. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn8008933
Zhang W, Xu R (2009) Surface engineered active photocatalysts without noble metals: CuS-ZnxCd1−xS nanospheres by one-step synthesis. Int J Hydrog Energy 34:8495–8503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.08.041
Zhang B, Li D, Xiong W, Wu M, Chu B, Liu H, Huang M, Fan M, Li B, Dong L (2023) Fabrication of three-dimensional hollow nanocassette photocatalysts RE-TiO2 (RE = La, Ce, Sm, Yb, and Tm) with enhanced pesticide degradation activity and highly exposed (101) crystal planes. Appl Surf Sci 626:157239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.157239
Acknowledgements
The authors of the manuscript thank and acknowledge their institutes for their support and lab facilities.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Maryam Abbasi: investigation, formal analysis, writing — original draft. Rukhsanda Aziz: conceptualization, methodology, writing — review and editing, supervision. Muhammad Tariq Rafiq: writing — review and editing. Aziz Ur Rahim Bacha: data curation, writing (original draft preparation, reviewing, and editing). Zahid Ullah: writing — review and editing. Abdul Ghaffar: writing — review and editing. Ghulam Mustafa: writing — review and editing. Iqra Nabi: writing — review, editing and revision of manuscript. Malik Tahir Hayat: writing — review and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical approval
Not applicable.
Consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Sami Rtimi
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Abbasi, M., Aziz, R., Rafiq, M.T. et al. Efficient performance of InP and InP/ZnS quantum dots for photocatalytic degradation of toxic aquatic pollutants. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 19986–20000 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32479-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32479-8