Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotics by reduced graphene oxide–CdS/ZnS heterostructure photocatalysts

In this work, reduced graphene oxide (RGO)–CdS/ZnS heterostructure composites have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method by assembling the CdS/ZnS heterostructure nanoparticles on RGO sheets and the reduction of GO occurs simultaneously. The as-prepared RGO–CdS/ZnS composites with the content of 15% RGO exhibit highly active photodegradation of TC. A possible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity has been discussed. The CdS/ZnS heterostructure facilitates the transformation of electrons, which is excited by light irradiation in the conduction band of CdS. RGO is supposed to be an electron transfer channel, which is used to reduce the recombination of electron–hole pairs, thus enhancing the photo-conversion efficiency. By profiting from the synergy of RGO and CdS/ZnS heterostructure, the photocatalysts not only show a better photocatalytic activity in tetracycline antibiotics but also prevent pure CdS or ZnS from photocorrosion. At last, RGO–CdS/ZnS shows remarkable stability and cyclic performances.