Efficient Sunlight Active Nanocomposite Photocatalyst for Degradation of Pollutant Organic Dyes

Abstract

The sunlight activated photocatalysts are urgently needed for the applications of photocatalytic techniques to environmental pollutants removal. Herein, we report the one-step hydrothermally prepared CdS/TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalyst that is active in the degradation of pollutant organic dyes under solar light. The morphology and components are confirmed by TEM, SEM and XRD. With methylene blue (MB) as the model pollutant organic dye, the photocatalytic activity of CdS/TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalyst under sunlight is demonstrated, and 80% MB is removed after 120 minutes sunlight illumination. Besides, the influences of pH, the amount of photocatalyst and the addition of H2O2 on photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB are also investigated to mimic water treatment process.

Recent Advances in Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Decolorization of Synthetic Dyes

“…Considering that disperse alkaline dyes cannot be treated by conventional biological processes, intensive investigations on the latest treatment techniques of these wastewaters have been conducted to develop effective methods for the remediation and treatment of a wide variety of alkaline-dye pollutants owing to their capability to produce a complete degradation process. The photocatalytic degradation reaction is usually conducted for compounds dissolved in water-like alkaline dyes, at mild temperature and pressure conditions, utilizing ultraviolet-illuminated semiconductor powders without the requirements of expensive oxidants [ 86 , 155 – 158 ] ( Figure 5 ).…”