Novel method of constructing CdS/ZnS heterojunction for high performance and stable photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Chemistry., 2019-07, Vol.380, p.111859, Article 111859
• Main Authors: Zhang, Kejie, Jin, Ling, Yang, Yuncan, Guo, Kechun, Hu, Fang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CdS/ZnS; Heterojunction; Photocatalytic performance; Photocurrent
• ISSN: 1010-6030; 1873-2666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.111859

CdS/ZnS heterojunction nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through liquid-phase thermal decomposition of a single precursor and ion adsorption method, which had excellent and stable photocatalytic properties. [Display omitted] •A series of CdS/ZnS heterojunctions were synthesized.•The crystal phase, morphology, and optical property of the samples are characterized.•The samples exhibit high catalytic activity and stability.•The possible mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic activity is proposed. A series of CdS/ZnS heterojunction nanocomposites with different contents of CdS were successfully synthesized through liquid-phase thermal decomposition of a single precursor and ion adsorption method. The structures and properties of these nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectrum, electrochemical workstation and photodegradation test. Therefore, the influences of different contents of CdS on the photocatalytic performance of as-prepared samples were demonstrated explicitly. The CdS/ZnS (7:1) nanocomposite exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency when exposed to ultraviolet light for 35 min, the degradation efficiencies of rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue reached 96.1% and 99.6%, respectively, which is higher than other reported CdS/ZnS based photocatalysts. Moreover, with a 10-cycle test of the degradation of RhB under natural light, the degradation efficiency remained around 96%, showing the desirable photocatalytic stability of CdS/ZnS (7:1) nanocomposite. The approach provides new possibility to produce other metal sulfide nanocomposites.