The manufacture of carbon nanotubes decorated with ZnS to enhance the ZnS photocatalytic activity

Carbon nanotubes with attached ZnS nanocrystals were prepared by a reaction between Zn(NO3)2 and Na2S in an aqueous suspension of carbon nanotubes. Post-refluxing treatment and the order in which the reactants were introduced played a crucial role in the improvement of the interaction between ZnS nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes. Studies on methylene blue degradation revealed that carbon nanotubes could effectively increase the photocatalytic activity of the ZnS nanocrystals. Close contact between carbon nanotubes and the ZnS improved the interfacial electron transfer and restrained the electron/hole (e−/h+) pair recombination of ZnS.