CdS embedded TiO2 hybrid nanospheres for visible light photocatalysis

• The CdS nanoparticles (NPs) have been embedded among TiO2 NPs to form nanospheres (NSs).
• CdS/TiO2 NSs with a size of ∼150 nm have good dispersion.
• The prepared CdS/TiO2 hybrid NSs extended to the visible light region at about 470 nm.
• CdS/TiO2 NSs showed obviously improved photocatalytic activity compared to pure TiO2 or CdS.

A novel CdS/TiO2 hybrid for visible photocatalysis was prepared by solvent thermal processes. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the cubic phase CdS nanoparticles (NPs) have been embedded and dispersed among anatase TiO2 NPs to form the uniform spheres with a size of ∼150 nm. In comparison with pure TiO2, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy confirmed that the photoresponse of the prepared CdS/TiO2 hybrid NSs extended to the visible light region at about 470 nm. Meanwhile, the CdS may be reducing the contact with the external environment due to CdS embedded in the TiO2. As a result, compared to pure TiO2, CdS and the mixture of TiO2 and CdS, the CdS/TiO2 hybrid nanospheres (NSs) exhibited obviously enhanced photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The mechanism of photocatalysis on CdS/TiO2 NSs under visible light is also discussed.

The CdS nanoparticles (NPs) have been embedded among TiO2 NPs to form the uniform spheres with a size of ∼150 nm by solvent thermal processes. Compared to pure TiO2, CdS and the mixture of TiO2 and CdS, the CdS/TiO2 hybrid NSs exhibited obviously enhanced photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of methyl orange under visible light irradiation.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (227 K)Download as PowerPoint slide