Synthesis Of C/ZnO/CdS Nanocomposite With Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity  

Abstract

C/ZnO/CdS nanocomposite was synthesized using microemulsion method. Thermal stability of precursor was studied with TG and DTA techniques. Structural and optical properties of composite were studied using various characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD study indicates that ZnO and CdS are having wurtzite and cubic phase in the composite sample. SEM and TEM study indicates formation of CdS nanospheres on ZnO nanorods. C doping and CdS coupling are responsible for red shift and shifting of absorption edge of ZnO from UV to visible region. C/ZnO/CdS nanocomposite exhibits better visible light photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue (MB). Stability of photocatalyst was studied using recovered photocatalyst up to third cycle and it was found that photocatalyst prepared in the present work is stable and reusable.