Synthesis, microstructure, and photocatalysis of ZnO/CdS nano-heterostructure

ZnO/CdS nano-heterostructure with flower-like morphology is fabricated by a facile two-step precipitation method for use in photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy, demonstrating that the microstructure of the ZnO/CdS nano-heterostructure is composed of flower-like ZnO modified by CdS nanoparticles. The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/CdS nano-heterostructure is evaluated by the photodegradation of rhodamine B under the simulated sunlight, and the result indicates that the ZnO/CdS nano-heterostructure exhibits an appreciable photocatalytic property, which can be attributed to the extended photo-response range and the increased charge separation rate in the heterostructure.

► ZnO/CdS nano-heterostructure was fabricated by a facile method.
► Microstructures of the samples were characterized.
► ZnO/CdS nano-heterostructure exhibited an improved photocatalytic property.
► Possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.