Silica covered porphyrin microstructures obtained in sol–gel processes

In this article, we report on the formation of well-defined highly emissive silica-covered porphyrin microstructures in base-catalyzed sol–gel processes. The microstructures were obtained by self-assembly of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (mTHPP) at room temperature. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was used as a silica precursor. The hybrid mTHPP- silica particles were characterized by means of reflectance UV–Vis and microscopy techniques including atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal fluorescence microscopy (CM). The SEM and TEM observations revealed that depending on the porphyrin concentration used in the synthesis, the shape of the hybrid mTHPP-silica particles has changed from ribbon-like (c _mTHPP = 2.09 mM) to rhombus-like structures (c _mTHPP = 4.35 mM). The ribbons were straight-edged, uniform in width (1.2–1.8 μm) and height (350–400 nm), and variable in length (40–100 μm). The rhombs were 1–3.7 μm in height, 7–25 μm in length, and 3.5–15 μm in width, and the ratio of length to width was uniform and equal to ca. 1.8–2. UV–Vis absorption spectra indicated that the J-aggregates and H-aggregates formed in the systems with lower and higher porphyrin content, respectively. Formation of different type of porphyrin aggregates in both systems resulted in different emission spectra, as it was shown with CM.     

Synthesis,characterization, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradation on In-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> sol–gel prepared photocatalysts

Indium-Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ doped semiconductors were prepared by the sol–gel method using titanium and sodium alkoxides as precursors. The gelled samples were annealed at 700 °C for 4, 6, and 8 h, and then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and UV–Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). XRD patterns of the samples show the formation of the Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ phase, whose crystallinity depends on the annealing time. The band gap calculated from the UV–Vis Kubelka–Munk function report similar values (3.2–3.4 eV) for all of the samples annealed at different times. SEM observations of the semiconductors showed microfiber bundle morphologies of about 5 μm. Meanwhile, by EDS analysis, indium oxide highly homogeneously dispersed on the hexatitanate surface was identified. The evaluation of the In-Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ semiconductors in the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) photodecomposition using ultraviolet light (λ = 254 nm) irradiation show that the photoactivity of the solids depends on the annealing time applied to the samples. The role of indium oxide is related to the indium oxide dispersed on the surface of the titanate diminishing the electron-hole recombination rate.     

Studies on complexation of cobalt with bioligand

The present work discusses the complexation behavior of bioligand cysteine with cobalt and the immobilization of this complex (Co–Cys) onto a biocompatible ligand and common drug base, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The complexation behavior has been studied by radiometric method and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The radiometric method involves dialysis of ⁶⁰Co–Cys–PVP complex against triple distilled water which subsequently gives the dynamic dissociation constant (k _d) of the complex. The half life of ⁶⁰Co–Cys–PVP complex calculated from k _d value is 22.6 h against triple distilled water at pH 8.5. The UV–Vis spectra analysis confirms the complexation of Co with cysteine at this pH and also indicates that the cysteine ligated Co(II) centers easily get oxidised to Co(III) centers (low spin, d⁶) in the presence of air at alkaline pH showing no d–d transitions.     

Structural and Optical Properties of Novel Surfactant Coated TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Ag Based Nanoparticles

Stable dispersions of surfactant-coated TiO₂–Ag based nanoparticles in apolar medium have been prepared by performing sequentially the hydrolysis of titanium(IV) isopropoxide and the reduction of Ag⁺ in the confined space of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (NaAOT) reverse micelles. Depending on the sequence length, this novel procedure allowed the synthesis of semiconductor–metal nanoparticles, nominally indicated as TiO₂/Ag, TiO₂/Ag/TiO₂, and TiO₂/Ag/TiO₂/Ag, stabilized by a monolayer of oriented surfactant molecules. The structural characterization of these nanoparticles has been performed by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), while optical properties were investigated by UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. TEM investigation showed the presence of globular nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 10 nm composed by distinct amorphous TiO₂ and crystalline Ag glued domains whose structure depends on the sequence length. UV–Vis absorption measurements highlighted the mutual metal–semiconductor influence on the TiO₂ energy band gap and on the Ag plasmon resonance. Steady-state fluorescence spectra analysis allowed to reveal the strong inhibition of the electron–hole radiative recombination in the TiO₂ domains due to the Ag and the appearance of a new emission band centred in the 484–545 nm range. Possible attributions of the involved electronic transition of this last emission are discussed.     

Multispectroscopic DNA interaction studies of a water-soluble nickel(II) complex containing different dinitrogen aromatic ligands

The water-soluble Ni(II) complex, [Ni(bipy)₂(phen-dione)](OAc)₂·2H₂O (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine and phen-dione = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) has been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The binding interactions of this complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated using fluorimetry, spectrophotometry, circular dichroism and viscosimetry. In fluorimetric studies, the enthalpy and entropy of the reaction between the complex and CT-DNA showed that the reaction is exothermic (ΔH = −123.9 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS = −323.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹). The competitive binding studies showed that the complex could not release methylene blue completely. The complex showed absorption hyperchromism in its UV–Vis spectrum with DNA. The calculated binding constant, K _b obtained from UV–Vis absorption studies was 2 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. Moreover, the complex induced detectable changes in the CD spectrum of CT-DNA, as well as changes in its viscosity. The results suggest that this nickel(II) complex interact with CT-DNA via a groove-binding mode.     

Synthesis of cobalt doped silica thin film for low temperature optical gas sensor

A modified sol–gel method was used to prepare cobalt doped silica thin film with a cobalt content of 10, 20 and 30 mol% (10Co, 20Co and 30Co). The prepared films were annealed at different temperatures in the range 400–1,000 °C, and their structural evolution examined. The mixed valence cobalt oxide, Co₃O₄, crystallizes only in the sample with the higher cobalt content, while cobalt silicate is the only crystalline phase detected in the sample 10Co and 20Co. Both the cobalt content and the temperature of heat treatment resulted to affect the nature of cobalt species dispersed in the silica matrix. The 30Co was selected for further investigations by FTIR spectroscopy to follow the structural evolution of 30Co film as function of the temperature and UV–Vis to get information on the cobalt valence state. The optical gas-sensing properties of 30Co films, containing Co₃O₄ as the major cobalt phase, were studied through the measuring of the film transmittance in dry air and in presence of dry air containing variable concentrations of polluting gases, CO and NO₂. The 30Co samples resulted to be highly sensitive to CO at room temperature. An explanation for the CO sensing characteristics, at low temperature, was proposed by referring to the physisorption-related mechanics of CO.     

Synthesis and characterization of some vanadyl complexes with flavonoid derivatives as potential insulin-mimetic agents

Two new complexes with formula VOL₂·nH₂O ((1) L: 4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone-7-rhamnoglucoside (naringin), n = 8; (2) L: 3′,4′,7-tris[O-(2-hydroxyethyl)]rutin (troxerutin), n = 0) were synthesised and characterised. The IR and UV–Vis spectral data indicate that these flavones act as bidentate chelating ligands and generate VO(II) complexes with a square-pyramidal stereochemistry. The thermal analysis (TG, DTA) elucidated the composition and also the number and nature of the water molecules. The thermal behavior indicates also a strong interaction between oxovanadium (IV) and these oxygen donor ligands.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel InVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films using the low temperature sol

The InVO₄ sol was obtained by a mild hydrothermal treatment (the precursor precipitation solution at 423 K, for 4 h). Novel visible-light activated photocatalytic InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films were synthesized through a sol–gel dipping method from the composite sol, which was obtained by mixing the low temperature InVO₄ sol and TiO₂ sol. The photocatalytic activities of the new InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films under visible light irradiation were investigated by the photocatalytic discoloration of methyl orange aqueous solution. The thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The results revealed that the InVO₄ doped thin films enhanced the methyl orange degradation rate under visible light irradiation, 3.0 wt% InVO₄–TiO₂ thin films reaching 80.1% after irradiated for 15 h.     

Characterization and activity of visible light–driven TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> photocatalysts co<Emphasis Type="Bold">-</Emphasis>doped with nitrogen and lanthanum

Nitrogen and lanthanum co-doped titania photocatalysts were prepared by a modified sol–gel process with urea and lanthanum nitrate doping precursors and characterized by various techniques including XRD, FTIR, TEM, EDS, and UV–Vis DRS. The average crystallite size was ca. 12–15 nm as calculated from XRD patterns, and anatase was the dominant crystalline type in the as-prepared samples. The UV–Vis DRS of the samples revealed significant absorption within the range of 400–500 nm. The optimum composition of N(0.020)La(0.012)TiO₂ exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution under simulated sunlight. The percent degradation of MO was ca. 97% for N(0.020)La(0.012)TiO₂ under simulated sunlight irradiation for 9 h. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the synergistic effects of the nitrogen and lanthanum co-doping.     

Effect of annealing temperatures and of high content of the iron ion (Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>)-doping on transition anatase–rutile phase of nanocrystalline TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films prepared by sol–gel spin coating

Titanium dioxide doped with iron (III) was prepared by sol–gel Spin Coating method. The phase structures, morphologies, particle size of the doped TiO₂ have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer. The XRD and Raman results show that the 10% Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ thin films crystallize in anatase phase between 600 and 800 °C, and into the anatase–rutile phase at 1,000 °C, and further into the rutile phase when the content of Fe³⁺ increases (20%). The grain size calculated from XRD patterns shows that the crystallinity of the obtained anatase particles increased from 39.4 to 43.4 nm as the temperature of annealing increase, whereas the size of rutile crystallites increases, with increasing Fe³⁺ concentrations from 36.9 to 38.1 nm. The AFM surface morphology results confirmed that the particle size increases by increasing the annealing temperature and also with an increasing of Fe³⁺ content. The optical band gap (E _g) of the films was determined by the UV–Vis spectrophotometer. We have found that the optical band gap decreased with an increasing of annealing temperatures and also with an increasing of Fe³⁺ content.     

Study of a new derivatizing reagent that improves the analysis of amino acids by HPLC with fluorescence detection: application to hydrolyzed rape bee pollen

A simple and sensitive method for evaluating the chemical compositions of protein amino acids, including cystine (Cys)₂ and tryptophane (Try) has been developed, based on the use of a sensitive labeling reagent 2-(11H-benzo[α]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl chloroformate (BCEC–Cl) along with fluorescence detection. The chromophore of the 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC-Cl) molecule was replaced with the 2-(11H-benzo[α]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl functional group, yielding the sensitive fluorescence molecule BCEC–Cl. The new reagent BCEC–Cl could then be substituted for labeling reagents commonly used in amino acid derivatization. The BCEC–amino acid derivatives exhibited very high detection sensitivities, particularly in the cases of (Cys)₂ and Try, which cannot be determined using traditional labeling reagents such as 9-fluorenyl methylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl) and ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA). The fluorescence detection intensities for the BCEC derivatives were compared to those obtained when using FMOC-Cl and BCEOC-Cl as labeling reagents. The ratios I _BCEC/I _BCEOC = 1.17–3.57, I _BCEC/I _FMOC = 1.13–8.21, and UV_BCEC/UV_BCEOC = 1.67–4.90 (where I is the fluorescence intensity and UV is the ultraviolet absorbance). Derivative separation was optimized on a Hypersil BDS C₁₈ column. The detection limits calculated from 1.0 pmol injections, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, ranged from 7.2 fmol for Try to 8.4 fmol for (Cys)₂. Excellent linear responses were observed, with coefficients of >0.9994. When coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography, the method established here allowed the development of a highly sensitive and specific method for the quantitative analysis of trace levels of amino acids including (Cys)₂ and Try from bee-collected pollen (bee pollen) samples.     

A fiber-optic evanescent wave sensor for dissolved oxygen detection based on novel hybrid fluorinated xerogels immobilized with [Ru(bpy)3]2+

We have prepared a novel fiber-optic evanescent wave sensor (FEWS) for dissolved oxygen (DO) detection. The sensor fabrication was based on coating a decladded portion of an optical fiber with a microporous coating, which was prepared from 3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane and n-propyltrimethoxysilane. The fluorophores were immobilized in the porous coating and excited by the evanescent wave field produced on the core surface of the optical fiber. The sensitivity of the sensor was quantified by the ratio of the fluorescence intensities in pure deoxygenated (I ₀) and in pure oxygenated environments (I). Results show that the quenching response of DO is increased with the enhancement of the coating surface hydrophobicity using the presented hybrid fluorinated ORMOSILs. The calibration curve of I ₀/I to [O₂] is linear from 0 to 40 ppm and the detection limit is 0.05 ppm (3σ) with a short response time of 15 s for DO detection. Figure       

A study of the aerobic reaction between dopamine and Fe(III) in the presence of S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript>

The reaction between Fe(III) and dopamine in aqueous solution in the presence of Na₂S₂O₃ was followed through UV–Vis spectroscopy, pH and oxy-reduction potential (Eh) measurements. The formation and quick disappearing of the complex [Fe(III)HL¹⁻]²⁺, HL¹⁻ = monoprotonated dopamine was observed with or without S₂O₃ ²⁻ at pH 3. An unexpected reaction occurs in presence of thiosulfate forming the stable anion complex [Fe(III)(L²⁻)₂]¹⁻, L²⁻ = dopacatecholate (λ = 580 nm) and the auto-increasing of the pH, from 3 to 7. It was proposed that H⁺ and molecular oxygen are consumed by free radical thiosulfate formed during the reaction.     

Direct electron transfer of cytochrome C and its electrocatalytic properties on multiwalled carbon nanotubes/ciprofloxacin films

In this study, stable and homogenous thin films of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were obtained on conducting surface using ciprofloxacin (CF, fluoroquinolone antibiotic) as an effective-dispersing agent. Further, MWCNTs/CF film modified electrodes (glassy carbon and indium tin oxide-coated glass electrode) are used successfully to study the direct electrochemistry of proteins. Here, cytochrome C (Cyt-C) was used as a model protein for investigation. A MWCNTs/CF film modified electrode was used as a biocompatible material for immobilization of Cyt-C from a neutral buffer solution (pH 7.2) using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Interestingly, Cyt-C retained its native state on the MWCNTs/CF film. The Cyt-C adsorbed MWCNTs/CF film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis) and CV. SEM images showed the evidence for the adsorption of Cyt-C on the MWCNTs/CF film, and UV–vis spectrum confirmed that Cyt-C was in its native state on MWCNTs/CF film. Using CV, it was found that the electrochemical signal of Cyt-C was highly stable in the neutral buffer solution and its redox peak potential was pH dependent. The formal potential (−0.27 V) and electron transfer rate constant (13 ± 1 s⁻¹) were calculated for Cyt-C on MWCNTs/CF film modified electrode. A potential application of the Cyt-C/MWCNTs/CF electrode as a biosensor to monitor H₂O₂ has been investigated. The steady-state current response increases linearly with H₂O₂ concentration from 2 × 10⁻⁶ to 7.8 × 10⁻⁵ M. The detection limit for determination of H₂O₂ has been found to be 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M (S/N = 3). Thus, Cyt-C/MWCNTs/CF film modified electrode can be used as a biosensing material for sensor applications.     

Synthesis of Coenzyme Q<Subscript>10</Subscript> and β-carotene by Yeasts Isolated from Antarctic Soil and Lichen in Response to Ultraviolet and Visible Radiations

The effect of different doses of visible (Vis), ultraviolet-А (UVA), and mixed light (UVA + Vis) upon coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) and β-carotene synthesis and biomass yield by the Sporobolomyces salmonicolor AL₁, Cryptococcus albidus AS₅₅, Cryptococcus laurentii AS₅₆, and C. laurentii AS₅₈ strains isolated from Antarctic samples was investigated. The β-carotene concentration in the red strain biomass increased by 52% under irradiation with 11 J/cm² Vis, and the CoQ₁₀ concentration rose by 37% in relation to the control quantity obtained through dark cultivation. Under irradiation with 6 J/cm² UVA, the S. salmonicolor AL₁ strain synthesized 15% more β-carotene; C. albidus AS₅₅, 22%; C. laurentii AS₅₆, 44%; and C. laurentii AS₅₈, 35% in relation to the control quantity. Irradiation with a low UVА + Vis dose significantly stimulated β-carotene biosynthesis by the strains of the Cryptococcus genus (87%, 138%, and 100%), whereas S. salmonicolor AL₁ increased the β-carotene content to a smaller degree (55%). Higher doses of all three irradiation types inhibited β-carotene accumulation. Vis suppressed CoQ₁₀ biosynthesis in the Cryptococcus strains, whereas UVА and UVА + Vis inhibited it in all four strains. The S. salmonicolor AL₁ strain pre-treated with 0.02 J/cm² UVA synthesized twice as much CoQ₁₀ and β-carotene when cultivated in the presence of Vis light in an 11-J/cm² dose.     

A Multilayer Film for Bifunctional Electrocatalyst and Electrochemical Sensor Based on Polyoxometalate and Tris(1,10-Phenanthroline)Ruthenium

The multilayer films containing tris(1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) Ru(phen)₃Cl₂ (abbr. Ru(phen)₃, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and polyoxometalate [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ (abbr. P₂W₁₈) through a layer-by-layer (LBL) process were fabricated. UV–vis absorption spectra showed that the subsequent growth of the multilayer film was regular and highly reproducible from layer to layer. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) confirmed the incorporation of Ru(phen)₃ and P₂W₁₈ into the film. The result of atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed a relatively uniform surface morphology of the multilayer film. The multilayer film exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction of \textIO₃ ^- {\text{IO}}_{3}^{ - } and the oxidation to l-cysteine. The value of I _pc was as a function with the concentration of iodate and l-cysteine, which indicated that the film can be a candidate for bifunctional electrocatalyst and electrochemical sensor.     

Lewis acid–base interactions enhance explosives sensing in silacycle polymers

The high sensitivity of silole- and silafluorene-containing polymers for detecting organic nitro, nitrate, and nitramine explosives cannot be solely attributed to favorable analyte–polymer hydrophobic interactions and amplified fluorescence quenching due to delocalization along the polymer chain. The Lewis acidity of silicon in conjugated poly(silafluorene-vinylene)s is shown to be important. This was established by examining the ²⁹Si NMR chemical shifts (Δ) for the model trimer fragment of the polymer CH₃–silafluorene–(trans-C₂H₂)–silafluorene–(trans-C₂H₂)–silafluorene–CH₃. The peripheral and central silicon resonances are up-field from a TMS reference at −9.50 and −18.9 ppm, respectively. Both resonances shift down-field in the presence of donor analytes and the observed shifts (0 to 1 ppm) correlate with the basicity of a variety of added Lewis bases, including TNT. The most basic analyte studied was acetonitrile and an association constant (K _a) of 0.12 M⁻¹ was calculated its binding to the peripheral silicon centers using the Scatchard method. Spin-lattice relaxation times (T ₁) of 5.86(3) and 4.83(4) s were measured for the methyl protons of acetonitrile in benzene-d ₆ at 20 °C in the absence and presence of the silafluorene trimer, respectively. The significant change in T ₁ values further supports a binding event between acetonitrile and the silafluorene trimer. These studies as well as significant changes and shifts observed in the characteristic UV–Vis absorption of the silafluorene group support an important role for the Lewis acid character of Si in polymer sensors that incorporate strained silacycles. The nitro groups of high explosives may act as weak Lewis-base donors to silacycles. This provides a donor–acceptor interaction that may be crucial for orienting the explosive analyte in the polymer film to provide an efficient pathway for inner-sphere electron transfer during the electron-transfer quenching process. Figure   Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Synthesis and characterization of spinel-type CuAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocrystalline by modified sol–gel method

Nanocrystalline Copper aluminate (CuAl₂O₄) was prepared by sol–gel technique using aluminum nitrate, copper nitrate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and citric acid were used as precursor materials. This method starts from of the precursor complex, and involves formation of homogeneous solid intermediates, reducing atomic diffusion processes during thermal treatment. The formation of pure crystallized CuAl₂O₄ nanocrystals occurred when the precursor was heat-treated at 600 °C in air for 2 h. The stages of the formation of CuAl₂O₄, as well as the characterization of the resulting compounds were done using thermo–gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The products were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy to be round, about 17–26 nm in size and E _g = 2.10 eV.     

Nano silver coated patterned silica thin film by sol–gel based soft lithography technique

We report the fabrication of nano silver coated patterned silica thin film by sol–gel based soft lithography technique. Initially, silica gel film on soda lime silica glass was prepared by dipping technique from a silica sol of moderate silica concentration. A PolydimethylSiloxane elastomeric stamp containing the negative replica of the patterns of commercially available compact disc was used for embossing the film and the embossed film was cured up to 450 °C in pure oxygen atmosphere for oxide film. Finally, a precursor solution of AgNO₃ in water containing polyvinyl alcohol as an organic binder was made and used for coating on the patterned silica film by dipping technique and cured the sample up to 450 °C in reducing gas atmosphere to obtain nano silver layer. The formation of only cubic silver (~4.0 nm) and both cubic silver (~5.2 nm) and silver oxide (~3.6 nm) crystallites at 350 and 450 °C film curing temperatures respectively were confirmed by XRD measurements. The % of nano silver metal and silver oxide were 75.4 and 24.6 respectively. The nano-structured surface feature was visualized by FESEM whereas AFM revealed the high fidelity grating structure of the films. Presence of both spherical and rectangular structure (aspect ratio, 2.37) of nano silver/silver oxide was confirmed by TEM. The films were also characterized by UV–Vis spectral study. The patterned film may find application in chemical sensor devices.     

Study of the optimal condition for electroplating of Bi2S3 thin films and their photoelectrochemical characteristics

Bismuth sulfide (Bi₂S₃) thin films were electrodeposited from non-aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide medium containing Bi(NO₃)₃ and thiourea as the precursor salts, triethanol amine as the complexing agent, and TritonX-100 as the surface active agent. The prepared films were subjected to rigorous experimentation in order to validate their potential candidature for solar cells. The films exhibited band gap energy of ∼1.3 eV and resistivity of the order of 2 × 10⁶ Ω cm at room temperature as was obtained from UV–Vis spectroscopy and four-probe measurements, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray were employed to reveal the morphology, structure, and chemical composition of the film matrix. The Bi₂S₃ films were found to be non-decomposable up to the temperature of 1,000 °C with the help of thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis. The Nyquist and Mott–Schottky plots derived from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements provided important information regarding electrical and semiconducting properties of the films. The n-type film with a donor density of the order of ∼10²³ m⁻³ displayed reasonable photoactivity under illumination and is recommended as a promising candidate for potential photoelectrochemical applications.