CdS sensitized TiO2 film for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by microwave-assisted chemical bath deposition method

•CdS sensitized TiO2 films are synthesized by microwave-assisted deposition method.•The photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by CdS sensitized TiO2 film is investigated.•A high Cr(VI) reduction rate of 93% is achieved under white LED light irradiation.

CdS quantum dots (QDs) sensitized TiO2 films were successfully synthesized using one-step microwave assisted chemical bath deposition method, which allows a facile and rapid deposition and integration between CdS QDs and TiO2 films. The photocatalytic performance of the films fabricated using CdS precursor solutions with different concentrations in the reduction of Cr(VI) under white light emitting diode (LED) light irradiation was investigated. The results show that the CdS sensitization can enhance the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 film with a maximum reduction rate of 93% for 240 min under white LED light irradiation as compared with the pure TiO2 film (31%) due to the increase of light absorption and the reduction of recombination of the injected electrons from CdS to TiO2.