ZnS-Based Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Sensing (Environmental Monitoring and Food Samples) and Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

In the present scenario, it is believed that the fabrication of cost-effective and environmentally friendly nanomaterials is of great significance for various optoelectronic and electrochemical applications. In the past few years, zinc sulfide and its composites with carbon-based materials, metal oxides, MXenes, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and other materials have been prepared for electrochemical applications. The ZnS-based materials exhibit good specific surface area, catalytic activity, and decent conductivity, which makes them promising materials for sensors and supercapacitors (SCs). In this review article, we briefly discuss the synthesis of ZnS using various methods, such as hydrothermal, microwave, sol–gel, electrochemical, and ultrasonication methods. Furthermore, ZnS and its composites for electrochemical sensors are reviewed. The limits of detection, sensitivity, stability, and selectivity of the reported sensors are discussed. Furthermore, studies based on ZnS and its composites for SC applications are reviewed. It was found that ZnS-based composites exhibit good electrochemical performance for SCs. The limitations and prospects of ZnS-based materials are also discussed. We believe that the present review article may be useful for researchers who are involved in the fabrication of ZnS-based materials for SCs and electrochemical sensing applications.