Synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity of the flower-like CdS/Zn3(PO4)2 Z-scheme heteronanostructures

Abstract

Z-scheme heterostructure photocatalysts for the transfer and separation efficiency of carriers are increasingly popular. CdS nanoparticle decorated three-dimensional (3D) flower-like Zn₃(PO₄)₂ nanostructures were prepared through a simple hydrothermal route and precipitation methods. The CdS/Zn₃(PO₄)₂ heteronanostructures were characterized through X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible light spectroscopy (UV-vis), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical measurements. The results showed that the three-dimensional flower-like structure of Zn₃(PO₄)₂ composed of two-dimensional nanoplates and CdS/Zn₃(PO₄)₂ heteronanostructures was obtained. The results of the Mott–Schottky measurements and the active species trapping experiments suggested that a Z-scheme system between the CdS nanoparticles and Zn₃(PO₄)₂ nanoplates was formed. Meanwhile, the CdS/Zn₃(PO₄)₂ heteronanostructures exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB under visible light, and that of the CdS/Zn₃(PO₄)₂-13 heteronanostructure with excellent photocatalytic stability is nearly 3.04 times higher than that of pure Zn₃(PO₄)₂ nanostructures.