Efficient photocatalytic degradation of an insoluble indigo dye by a CdS nanorod-embedded porous polymer film

Abstract

Porous polymer films with pore-selectively embedded CdS nanorods were fabricated via a modified breath figure method coupled with an interfacial reaction. The films exhibited markedly enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of water-insoluble indigo dye compared to CdS nanoparticles and bare PCL films. This enhancement is likely due to the microreactor effect of the hydrophobic porous polymer matrix, which promotes localization of dye molecules near catalytic surfaces. This confinement-assisted partitioning intensifies dye–catalyst interactions and highlights a practical strategy for treating persistent organic pollutants.