Synthesis and application of ternary photocatalyst with a gradient band structure from two-dimensional nanosheets as precursors

Herein, we report the preparation of a ternary photocatalyst by assembling graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNS) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with two-dimensional nature, along with crystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS). The high visible light absorption and the gradient band structure of the ternary photocatalyst promoted the photo-generation of charges and the followed separation of electrons and holes on different compositions. This ternary composite photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation in comparison with the single phase as well as their dual composites. Furthermore, this composite showed a superior reusability, and a high degradation ratio > 90% was still achieved in the 5th cycle. Moreover, a possible mechanism was proposed and superoxide radicals were determined as the main active species.