Facile synthesis of stable cadmium sulfide quantum dots with good photocatalytic activities under stabilization of hydrophobic amino acids

In the present study, the stable CdS quantum dots were successfully prepared using hydrophobic amino acids methionine and valine as stabilizers through a facile one-pot strategy in aqueous media. The CdS quantum dots exhibited strong absorption and photoluminescence properties in the visible wavelength region. From the results, the CdS quantum dots can effectively photocatalytically degrade the organic dyes through the mediation of the hydroxyl radical under visible light irradiation. More importantly, the CdS quantum dots exhibit good recycling stability during the photocatalytic experiments. This suggested that the as-prepared CdS quantum dots might be used as potential photocatalyst to effectively treat the organic pollutants under visible light irradiation.

► Preparation of stable CdS quantum dots with the aid of hydrophobic amino acids.
► Effective photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes under visible light irradiation.
► Recycling and long-term photocatalytic application of quantum dots.