Photochemical preparation of CdS hollow microspheres at room temperature and their use in visible-light photocatalysis

CdS hollow microspheres have been successfully prepared by a photochemical preparation technology at room temperature, using polystyrene latex particles as templates, CdSO4 as cadmium source and Na2S2O3 as both sulphur source and photo-initiator. The process involved the deposition of CdS nanoparticles on the surface of polystyrene latex particles under the irradiation of an 8 W UV lamp and the subsequent removal of the latex particles by dispersing in dichloromethane. Photochemical reactions at the sphere/solution interface should be responsible for the formation of hollow spheres. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Such hollow spheres could be used in photocatalysis and showed high photocatalytic activities in photodegradation of methyl blue (MB) in the presence of H2O2. The method is green, simple, universal and can be extended to prepare other sulphide and oxide hollow spheres.

Taking polystyrene spheres dispersed in a precursor solution as templates, CdS hollow microspheres composed of nanoparticles were successfully prepared via a new photochemical route at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► Photochemical method was first employed to prepare hollow microspheres.
► CdS hollow spheres were first prepared at room temperature using latex spheres.
► The polystyrene spheres used as templates were not modified with special groups.
► The CdS hollow microspheres showed high visible-light photocatalytic activities.