The synthesis, structure, optical and photocatalytic properties of silica-coated cadmium sulfide nanocomposites of different shapes

► Synthesis of cubic and hexagonal CdS nanostructures in silica matrix. ► Fabrication of core (CdS nanorod)-shell (SiO2) hybrid nanocomposite. ► CdS nanorod surface area (21.2 m2/g) is improved after SiO2 (42.3 m2/g) coating. ► Strong emission of CdS nanostructures is quenched after SiO2 layer deposition. ► Photoactivity is markedly enhanced after SiO2 shell formation over CdS nanorod.