Understanding Photocatalytic Degradation of RB5 Dye under Salts Using Nickel Sulfide Nanoparticles: Insights from Dynamic Light Scattering and Theoretical Investigations

作者：Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Bilal, Hamza Khan, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Saqib Khan, Mazhar Iqbal, Tayyab Ashfaq Butt, Muhammad Hassan, Ahson Jabbar Shaikh · 发表于：ACS Omega · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1021/acsomega.5c01902 · 被引用次数：17 · 研究领域：Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques、Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications、TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This study reports the photocatalytic degradation of the RB5 dye by nickel sulfide nanoparticles (NiS NPs) in the presence of salts. Dynamic light scattering has rarely been used to study dye photocatalytic degradation. However, hydrodynamic size ( H R ) and zeta potential measurements offer insights into RB5 photocatalytic degradation. The hydrodynamic radius of NiS increased from 244.97 ± 31 to 1325.43 ± 531 nm upon interaction with NaCl, with 99% degradation efficiency for RB5 via · OH, O 2 – ·, and Cl · radical mechanisms, which further increased to 1882 ± 385 nm, indicating deposition of dye degraded and mineralized products on the catalyst surface. Least interaction of AgNO 3 increased the hydrodynamic radius to 672.6 ± 339 nm with only 40% RB5 degradation. Zeta potential studies confirmed that NiS NPs are negatively charged and stable for RB5 photocatalytic degradation in NaCl, although their overall stability decreased upon interaction with salts. Trapping studies verify the radicals’ generation, and the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model attests adsorption as an active process followed by the RB5 photocatalytic degradation. XRD analysis confirmed an average crystallite size of 7.08 nm with a rhombohedral crystal system. Scanning electron microscopy exhibits agglomerated nanoclusters, and BET analysis demonstrates the mesoporous nature of NiS with a surface area of 161 m 2 /g. Optical analysis (UV–vis and PL) confirms the int...