Ethylenediamine-assisted solvothermal synthesis of one-dimensional CdxZn(1−x)S solid solutions and their photocatalytic activity for nitrobenzene reduction

A series of one-dimensional CdxZn(1−x)S semiconductor alloys were prepared via a hydrothermal method with the assistance of ethylenediamine at 180 °C for 12 h. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption and Fourier transform infrared techniques. With the value of x increased, the band gap of CdxZn(1−x)S semiconductor alloys gradually decreased indicating that catalysts were exchanged to visible-light response. Photocatalytic reduction results showed that Cd0.73Zn0.27S exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity toward photo production of aniline via nitrobenzene reduction under visible irradiation respectively. The reaction mechanism was also discussed.

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► A series of CdxZn(1−x)S solid solutions were prepared via a hydrothermal method with the assistance of ethylenediamine.
► Band gaps of CdxZn(1−x)S solid solutions could be adjusted from 3.52 eV to 2.38 eV by changing the composition.
► Photocatalytic production for aniline via nitrobenzene reduction has been achieved.
► Cd0.73Zn0.27S exhibited the highest activity under the visible-light irradiation.