Nematic shaped cadmium sulfide doped electrospun nanofiber mat: Highly efficient, reusable, solar light photocatalyst

In this study, novel nematic shaped CdS-doped poly (vinyl acetate) electrospun mat is introduced as a highly efficient and reusable photocatalyst. Preparation of the introduced mat was achieved by using simple, effective, low cost and high yield technology; electrospinning of the CdS/PVAc colloid. The introduced mat successfully catalyzes the photodegradation of two models of dyes (methylene blue and methyl red) under the sun light radiation. The photocatalytic activity of the introduced mats was not affected by multiple reusing. Moreover, the physiochemical characterizations affirmed nonexistence of the CdS nanoparticles (NPs) in the treated waters due to well incorporation of these NPs inside the polymeric nanofibers which also overcomes the photocorrosion problem. Overall, the introduced mat is highly recommended to be used as low cost, reusable, efficient and healthily safe photocatalyst in the field of water treatment under solar-light irradiation. This solar-light driven reusable CdS doped PVAc hybrid mat photocatalyst can be easily applied for industrial application, especially in the open water surface.

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► CdS/PVAc colloid via electrospinning was used to make the 100–200 nm fiber.
► Self-assembled columnar structure of CdS resembling the Nematic shape was achieved.
► Solar light photocatalytic efficacy of the CdS/PVAc hybrid mat on azo dyes tested.
► Secondary pollution resolved and long term reusability of the catalyst is possible.
► Open water usability, retrieval of the photocatalyst makes it commercial.