Ethylenediamine-assisted solvothermal synthesis of one-dimensional CdxZn(1−x)S solid solutions and their photocatalytic activity for nitrobenzene reduction

A series of one-dimensional Cd x Zn (1− x ) S semiconductor alloys were prepared via a hydrothermal method with the assistance of ethylenediamine at 180   °C for 12   h. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption and Fourier transform infrared techniques. With the value of x increased, the band gap of Cd x Zn (1− x ) S semiconductor alloys gradually decreased indicating that catalysts were exchanged to visible-light response. Photocatalytic reduction results showed that Cd 0.73 Zn 0.27 S exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity toward photo production of aniline via nitrobenzene reduction under visible irradiation respectively. The reaction mechanism was also discussed.