Surface-anchored CdS@Ag3PO4 nanocomposite with efficient visible light photocatalytic activity

• The first synthesis of CdS@Ag3PO4 nanocomposite material.
• A strong electronic coupling between Ag3PO4 and CdS in the CdS@Ag3PO4 nanocomposite.
• The improvement of the photocatalytic activity of Ag3PO4 by composite formation with CdS.

The surface anchoring of CdS on the surface of Ag3PO4 nanoparticle is achieved by an electrostatically-derived assembly between negatively-charged Ag3PO4 nanoparticles and positively-charged CdS quantum dots (QDs). The composite formation between Ag3PO4 and CdS nanoparticles gives rise not only to an enhancement of visible light absorption but also to a notable depression of photoluminescence signal, confirming the strong electronic coupling between the two components. The present CdS@Ag3PO4 nanocomposite displays higher visible light photocatalytic activity than do the precursors Ag3PO4 and CdS, demonstrating the usefulness of electrostatically-derived assembly in exploring highly efficient photocatalyst material.