Ultrasound-assisted synthesis and solar-light-driven photoelectrocatalytic activity of CdS sensitized TiO2 nanotube array photocatalysts

In this work, highly active solar-light-driven TiO2 NTs/CdS photocatalysts were prepared by an ultrasound assisted chemical deposition method using deionized water, ethanol and ethylene glycol as solvents, respectively. The morphology and visible light response were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Under simulated sunlight illumination, the TiO2 NTs/CdS showed excellent photoelectrochemical performances including visible light photocurrent and solar-driven photoelectrocatalytic removal of organic dyes and Cr(VI). The investigation results indicated that the TiO2 NTs/CdS prepared in ethanol solution showed the optimal photoelectrochemical properties.