Ligand-Decomposition assistant formation of CdS/TiO2 hybrid nanostructure with enhanced photocatalytic activity

CdS decorated anatase TiO2 without capping ligands between them was constructed by the reaction of amorphous TiO2 sphere modified by thioglycolic acid with Cd2+ during the heating process (95 degrees C) directly. We have confirmed that the crystallization of amorphous TiO2 and the formation of CdS particles are driven by the decomposition of thioglycolic acid. Moreover, the dissociation of thioglycolic acid also avoids the influence of ligand on the charge transfer between TiO2 and CdS which is beneficial to improving the photocatalytic activity. Benefiting from this fabrication strategy, the photocatalytic activity of the obtained photocatalysts presents the enhanced activity in the wastewater treatment under visible light irradiation compared to conventionally prepared photocatalysts with the ligand. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

CdS decorated anatase TiO2 without capping ligands was successfully synthesized, leading to enhanced photocatalytic activity for wastewater treatment.