Titanate nanotubes co-sensitized with cadmium sulfide nanoparticles and porphyrin zinc: Preparation and enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

Titanate nanotubes (TNTs) co-sensitized with CdS nanoparticles and 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin zinc (ZnMOHPP) were prepared by a simple process. In the co-sensitized TNTs, CdS nanoparticles were anchored on the surface of TNTs by an in-situ ion-change reaction, and ZnMOHPP molecules were linked on the surface of TNTs by interaction of hydroxyl groups. Importantly, the co-sensitized TNTs possessed excellent light-harvesting, efficient separation of the photogenerated charges and higher visible-light photocatalytic activity. It was attributed to the complementary absorption and the intimate anchoring between TNTs and co-sensitizers.

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► CdS and porphyrin can be anchored on the titanate nanotubes (TNTs).
► The co-sensitized TNTs showed higher visible-light photocatalytic acitivity.
► The complementary absorption is profitable for light-harvesting.
► The anchoring is profitable for separation of the charges.