Synthesis of Visible-Light Responsive CdS/ZnO Nanocomposite Photocatalysts via Simple Precipitation Method

Abstract

A visible-light responsive CdS/ZnO nanocomposite photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by precipitation of CdS nanoparticles, using Cd (NO3)2 and Na2S as starting materials, on ZnO nanoparticles and then calcined at 400°C for 2 hours. The effects of the mole ratio of CdS and ZnO in the composites on their phase, morphology, and surface area were investigated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer Emmett Teller method (BET), respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue solution in the presence of composite products under visible-light irradiation was investigated. The results showed that the mole ratio of CdS and ZnO played a significant role on photocatalytic performance. The highest photocatalytic activity was obtained from the CdS/ZnO nanocomposite with mole ratio of 1:4, which is higher than that of pure CdS and pure ZnO.