CdS/Ag2S nanocomposites photocatalyst with enhanced visible light photocatalysis activity

To design efficient photocatalysis system, ultrafast photogenerated charge recombination in photocatalysts should be suppressed. Herein, CdS/Ag2S composites were prepared via in situ ion exchange method. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that a heterojunction interface between CdS and Ag2S. The UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) revealed that the as-prepared CdS/Ag2S composites owned more intensive absorption in the visible light range compared with pure CdS nanorods (NRs). These characteristic structural and optical properties endow CdS/Ag2S composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity. The MO degradation rate reached 93.0% within 25 min under visible light irradiation, the degradation rate of MO was 5 times higher than that of pure CdS NRs. The enhanced photocatalysis performance is mainly ascribed to the interface between CdS and Ag2S, which will lead to an effective photogenerated charge separation in the composite photocatalyst.