Supercritical solvothermal preparation of a ZnxCd1−xS visible photocatalyst with enhanced activity

Abstract

A ternary Zn_xCd_1−xS solid solution was prepared using a supercritical solvothermal route and was used as a photocatalyst without further thermal treatments. The Zn_xCd_1−xS exhibited high activity in the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and p-chlorophenol under visible light irradiation owing to its uniform crystal growth with well-distributed crystallite size, high specific surface area with large pore volume, and low recombination rate of photo-induced electrons and holes. Moreover, the Zn_xCd_1−xS solid solution displayed strong stability against either structural damage or oxidation, leading to its excellent durability in photocatalysis.