Superior photoactivity and stability of movable CdS (core)–CdO (shell) nanostructures formed in tubular SiO2 by laser etching of SiO2@CdS nanorod

•Synthesis of movable core–shell structure by photoetching of SiO2@CdS nanorod.•Homogeneous dispersal of CdS core (∼4 nm)–CdO shell (∼3 nm) inside tubular silica.•Photoetching enhanced the surface area of SiO2@CdS nanorod from 42 to 123 m2/g.•Emission of SiO2@CdS nanorod is highly enhanced (∼175%) on photoetching at 458 nm.•Remarkable photoactivity (∼98%) under visible light (656 nm) irradiation is shown.

Several CdS core (∼4 nm) and CdO shell (∼3 nm) hybrid composites movable in tubular SiO2 are obtained by photoetching of SiO2@CdS nanorod with 457.9 nm laser irradiation. Obtained nanostructures showed a blue shift in the absorbance spectra (from 510 to 458 nm), high emission intensity, preferred dissolution of (0 0 2) plane and significant weight loss (55.4%). An increased ‘O’ content (49 at.%) and an enlarged surface area (123 m2 g−1) compared to SiO2@CdS nanorods (42.4 m2 g−1) confirmed the creation of SiO2 coated CdO@CdS nanostructures. They exhibited superior stable photoactivity (∼98%) for methyl orange degradation under visible (656 nm) light irradiation.

Graphical abstractSeveral CdS core (∼4 nm) and CdO shell (∼3 nm) hybrid composites movable in tubular SiO2 are obtained by photoetching of SiO2@CdS nanorod with 457.9 nm laser irradiation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide