CdS quantum dots/Ti3+-TiO2 nanobelts heterojunctions as efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts

CdS quantum dots (QDs)/Ti 3+ -TiO 2 nanobelts heterojunctions as 0D/1D architectures are fabricated through hydrothermal-chemical bath deposition combine with in-situ solid-state chemical reduction approach. The CdS QDs of ∼7 nm are loaded on TiO 2 nanobelts with width of 50–300 nm and several micrometers long, and the heterojunctions are formed efficiently. The prepared heterojunctions exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance for complete removal of methylene blue (∼99%) and hydrogen production efficiency (∼480.6 μmol h −1 ) under visible light irradiation, which are as high as 2 and 23 times than that of pristine TiO 2 nanobelts. The enhancement is attributed to the Ti 3+ self-doping and CdS QDs extend the photoresponse to visible light region and the formation of heterojunctions favor the spatial separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Therefore, the high-efficient 0D/1D heterojunction composites have potential applications in the field of environment and energy.