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Sivas University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Engineering Fundamental Sciences, Sivas
Abstract
In this study, ZnS and 5 mol% Mg-doped ZnS (5Mg:ZnS) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a banana peel–assisted green synthesis route. The use of banana peel extract provided an eco-friendly and sustainable approach, acting as both a reducing and stabilizing agent during nanoparticle formation. Structural analysis by XRD confirmed the formation of single-phase cubic ZnS with zinc blende structure for both samples, while Mg incorporation did not induce any secondary phases and led to improved crystallinity. SEM revealed agglomerated nanostructures with irregular morphology, which is typical for bio-assisted synthesis routes. UV-Vis absorption studies showed strong ultraviolet absorption and a clear shift in the absorption edge, with the optical band gap estimated to be approximately 3.95 eV for ZnS nanoparticles and 3.79 eV for 5Mg:ZnS, indicating band gap widening due to quantum confinement and subsequent band gap narrowing upon Mg doping. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of surface functional groups derived from banana peel phytochemicals and revealed modifications in the metal–sulfur bonding region after Mg incorporation. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized samples was evaluated through the degradation of Congo Red (CR) under UV-A irradiation. The 5Mg:ZnS photocatalyst exhibited significantly enhanced activity, achieving up to 93% degradation within 60 min, compared to 78% for pristine ZnS. The effect of initial pH demonstrated that neutral conditions were optimal for dye degradation. The improved photocatalytic performance of Mg-doped ZnS is attributed to enhanced charge carrier separation and increased generation of reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that banana peel–assisted Mg-doped ZnS nanoparticles are promising candidates for environmentally friendly wastewater treatment applications.
Keywords
Mg-doped ZnS nanoparticles,banana peel–assisted synthesis,optical band gap,congo red
How to Cite
BALNAN, İpek. (2026). Banana Peel–Assisted Synthesis of ZnS and 5 mol % Mg-Doped ZnS for Photocatalytic Degradation of Congo Red. MAS Journal of Applied Sciences, 11(1), 68–80. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18920789
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