A unique nanoporous graphene-ZnxCd1-xS hybrid nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of water pollutants

In this work, a novel in-situ solvothermal reduction route has been made to immobilize nanoporous ZnxCd1-xS aggregates on graphene nanoribbons by using PVP as a stabilizer and thiourea as a sulphur source. The nanoporous ZnxCd1-xS aggregates with diameters of 20-30 nm assembled from ZnxCd1-xS nanocrystals (3-5 nm) are homogeneously anchored on graphene nanoribbons and the unique structure of graphene-ZnxCd1-xS nanocomposites has contributed to large specific surface area (102.1 m(2)g(-1)). Despite the analogous size and configuration, the nanoporous graphene-ZnxCd1-xS hybrid nano composites exhibited composition-dependent photocatalytic performances for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light. In particular, graphene-Zn0.5Cd0.5S was capable of nearly completely degrading MO in 150 min. The excellent photocatalytic activity was proposed to arise from the synergy effect between nanoporous ZnxCd1-xS aggregates and graphene, the suitable band gap, intimate interfacial contact, and unique nanoporous structure. Moreover, the work provides a simple strategy to prepare various nanoporous graphene-semiconductor nanocomposites. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.