Synthesis of mesoporous CdS/titania composites with visible light photocatalytic activities

A mesoporous CdS/titania heterogeneous structure has been synthesized via the self-assembly of Cd2+ ions and titania nanosheets and the subsequent sulfuration. The composited structure that CdS nanoparticles were encapsulated into titania nanosheets exhibited an enhanced visible light harvesting, as well as a large surface area and two kinds of mesoporous structures derived from the restacking of nanosheets and the pillaring of CdS nanoparticles, respectively. The results of photodegrading rhodamine B under visible light illumination suggested that this CdS/titania composite possessed a high activity compared with its layered titanate precursors and the Cd2+ intercalated form. Moreover, this material was extremely stable and displayed an excellent reusability after 5 cycles.

► An exfoliation-restacking strategy and a subsequent sulfuration were used.
► The composite possesses a large surface area.
► The obtained material exhibits an extended absorption in visible region.
► The catalyst owns a high visible light activity and stability for dye degradation.