title: Mechanism of versatile catalytic activities of quaternary CuZnFeS nanocrystals designed by a rapid synthesis route.
abstract: Quaternary alloyed nanocrystals (NCs) composed of earth abundant, environment friendly elements are of interest for energy-harvesting applications. These complex NCs are useful as catalysts for the degradation of multiple refractory organic pollutants as well as nitro-organic reduction at a rapid rate. Here, a remarkably fast (∼30 s) and facile synthesis of crystalline quaternary chalcopyrite copper-zinc-iron-sulfide (CZIS) NCs is reported. These NCs show excellent catalytic properties by degrading a number of refractory organic dyes and converting nitro-compounds at a rapid rate. The valence and conduction band information of the newly designed NCs are extracted using scanning tunneling spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, which reveal energy levels suitable for performing redox chemistry by generating reactive radicals establishing NCs as efficient catalyst with multiple uses. Rapid synthesis of high quality phase-controlled CZIS NCs with robust catalytic activities could be useful for organic waste treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Materials, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalui
authors.forename: Umamahesh
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Thupakula
authors.forename: Ali Hossain
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Tanmay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Biswarup
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Satpati
authors.forename: Somobrata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acharya
keywords: catalysis; dyes; nitrophenol reduction; quaternary nanocrystals; remediation; scanning tunneling spectroscopy