Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of CdS–montmorillonite nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on cadmium sulfide (CdS) and Na-montmorillonite (Na+-Mt) were prepared by a hydrothermal method using Cd[NH2CSNH2]SO4 complex as precursor of CdS which was derived from cadmium sulfate and thiourea. These nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and X-fluorescence (XF). The nanocomposites consist of nanosized CdS pillars, which tend to increase in size as the amount of complex precursor increases. The CdS crystals have a hexagonal symmetry. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained CdS–Mt nanocomposites is improved significantly compared to that of the Mt and pure CdS. The resulting CdS–Mt nanocomposites could degrade methylene blue and rhodamine 6G under near UV–visible irradiation.

► Nanosized cadmium sulfide was intercalated into a montmorillonite layered structure.
► These nanocomposites were characterized by structural and chemical techniques.
► Photocatalytic tests were performed using these nanocomposites as catalysts.
► Results on two dyes show important improvement of the photocatalytic activity.