Flower-like CdS/CdV2O6 composite for visible-light photoconversion of CO2 into CH4.

Flower-like CdS/CdV 2 O 6 composite has been used in the present work for the visible-light (λ ≥ 420 nm) photoconversion of CO 2 into CH 4 . CdV 2 O 6 has been synthesized by simple hydrothermal method. Limited chemical conversion route (LCCR) has been used for the synthesis of novel efficient visible light driven CdS/CdV 2 O 6 composite. Several characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) have been used to characterize the as synthesized photocatalysts. XRD confirms the formation of monoclinic structure of CdV 2 O 6 and orthorhombic phase of CdS in the nanocomposite. HRTEM and SEM results reveal rod-like morphology of CdV 2 O 6 while CdS/CdV 2 O 6 is in the form of well-shaped bunches of flower-like structures. XPS is used to determine the alignment of energy levels against the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). The as-synthesized flower-like composites have then been employed as efficient photocatalysts for visible-light photoconversion of CO 2 into CH 4 . The CdS/CdV 2 O 6 composite results in visibly higher yield of methane than that of single semiconductors that might be attributed to the suppressed recombination of the photogenerated charge carriers. Flower-like CdS/CdV 2 O 6 composite also exhibits tremendous photostability than the individual counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]