Template Synthesis of Ag2S-Zn0.5Cd0.5S with two structures and their application in RhB’s Photodegradations

Two kinds of Ag 2 S-Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S heterostructural photocatalysts were synthesized via a simple two-step hydrothermal method. The photochemical (PEC) properties of Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S nanoparticles modified by Ag 2 S are closely related to the reaction time of Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S nanoparticles. Compared with the Ag 2 S-Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S heterostructure prepared at low temperature, the Ag 2 S-Ag-Zn-Cd-S composite prepared at high temperature has higher charge transfer/separation efficiency and longer carrier life. The photocatalytic performance of Ag 2 S-Ag-Zn-Cd-S composites for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (λ = 420 nm) was significantly improved. The AZCS-180-4 h photocatalyst exhibited the highest degradation efficiency (83.1% within 40 min) with a rate constant of 0.0401 min −1 which exhibited prominent stability and repeatability, and can still maintain high photocatalytic activity after at least four cycles. Meanwhile, the study of photocatalytic mechanism shows that the photo-induced h + radical is the predominant active species in this photocatalytic system, followed by·OH and·O 2- play a secondary role.