Synthesis of Uniform CdS Nanospheres/Graphene Hybrid Nanocomposites and Their Application as Visible Light Photocatalyst for Selective Reduction of Nitro Organics in Water

We report the self-assembly of uniform CdS nanospheres/graphene (CdS NSPs/GR) hybrid nanocomposites via electrostatic interaction of positively charged CdS nanospheres (CdS NSPs) with negatively charged graphene oxide (GO), followed by GO reduction via a hydrothermal treatment. During this facile two-step wet chemistry process, reduced graphene oxide (RGO, also called GR) and the intimate interfacial contact between CdS NSPs and the GR sheets are achieved. Importantly, the CdS NSPs/GR nanocomposites exhibit a much higher photocatalytic performance than bare CdS NSPs toward selective reduction of nitro organics to corresponding amino organics under visible light irradiation. The superior photocatalytic performance of the CdS NSPs/GR nanocomposites can be attributed to the intimate interfacial contact between CdS NSPs and the GR sheets, which would maximize the excellent electron conductivity and mobility of GR that in turn markedly contributes to improving the fate and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers from CdS NSPs under visible light irradiation. Moreover, the photocorrosion of CdS and the photodegradation of GR can be efficiently inhibited. The excellent reusability of the CdS NSPs/GR nanocomposites can be attributed to the synergetic effect of the introduction of GR into the matrix of CdS NSPs and the addition of ammonium formate as quencher for photogenerated holes. It is hoped that our current work could promote us to efficiently harness such a simple and efficient self-assembly strategy to synthesize GR-based semiconductor composites with controlled morphology and, more significantly, widen the application of CdS/GR nanocomposite photocatalysts and offer new inroads into exploration and utilization of GR-based semiconductor nanocomposites as visible light photocatalysts for selective organic transformations.