Popcorn-like ZnFe2O4/CdS nanospheres for high-efficient photocatalyst degradation of rhodamine B

The popcorn-shaped ZnFe 2 O 4 (ZFO) nanospheres has been produced by one-pot synthesis method. CdS nanoparticles (NPs) were subsequently loaded onto the surface of porous ZnFe 2 O 4 through the successive ion layer adsorption (SILAR) process. The microstructure, composition , and degradation ability of ZFO/CdS NPs composites have been examined in-depth. Under the four SILAR cycles, the resulting ZFO/CdS NPs (FS4) composite displayed the maximum degradation efficiency of 93.2% for rhodamine B (RhB) in 40 min, and which maintained high photocatalytic activity and a stable structure after five reuse. The heterojunction between CdS and ZFO can dramatically improves the separation efficiency of photo-generated electron-hole pairs, thus boosts catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the radical scavenging investigations have demonstrated that the superoxide radicals as the principal reactive group participate in the photocatalytic reactions. The proposed ZFO/CdS NPs composites shows high photocatalytic ability and convenient magnetic recycling. This work not only provide a practical green synthesis path, but also offers new insight onto the formation of high-efficiency heterojunction photocatalysts .