Hydrophilic Colloidal CdS Particles: Synthesis, Stabilization Mechanism, Spectral, Optical, and Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract

Hydrophilic colloidal particles of cadmium sulfide CdS were prepared by chemical condensation. The approach used to create hydrophilic shells comprised the formation of a micelle-like structure around CdS nanoparticles (NPs) provided by the surface cadmium atoms forming stable complexonates with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid anions. The aggregation stability mechanism of CdS NPs in aqueous solutions was studied. Optical, spectral, and photocatalytic properties of both nanostructured powders agglomerated from hydrophobic CdS nanoparticles and isolated hydrophilic CdS nanoparticles in a colloidal solution were investigated.