Preparation of Indium-Cadmium Sulfide Nanoparticles with Diverse Morphologies: Photocatalytic and Cytotoxicity Study

This paper reports the synthesis, photocatalytic and cytotoxicity potential of indium doped cadmium sulfide (In2S3-CdS) nanoparticles prepared by solvothermal (product a) and hydrothermal routes (product b). In2S3-CdS nanoparticles obtained by solvothermal route (product a) indicated spherical morphology while product b obtained by hydrothermal route showed hexagonal morphology with average size 100 nm. In2S3-CdS nanoparticles was identified and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and UV-vis spectrophotometer, whereas the surface area of In2S3-CdS nanoparticles was studied by BET analyzer. The as obtained In2S3-CdS nanoparticles (product a and b) were found to be efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of rhodamine B. The In2S3-CdS also revealed more cytotoxicity activity against HCT 116 (Human colon colorectal tumor) cell line as compared with MCF-7 (Breast cancer cell line). Our results indicate that In2S3-CdS is good photocatalyst. This method can also be employed to design other semiconductors with applications not only in the field of photocatalysis but other fields as well.