Cu2−xSe/CdS composite photocatalyst with enhanced visible light photocatalysis activity.

Abstract To design efficient photocatalysis system, the recombination of electron-hole pairs in photocatalysts should be suppressed. Herein, p type Cu 2−x Se/n type CdS composite photocatalyst was proposed for the first time to improve photocatalysis performance for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. Among the various ratio composites, 10 wt% Cu 2−x Se/CdS shows the best photocatalysis performance, the degradation rate of RhB was enhanced 7.8 times than that of pristine CdS. The enhanced photocatalysis performance was mainly ascribed to the formation of Cu 2−x Se/CdS p-n junction, which will lead to effective charge separation in the composite photocatalyst. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A novel composite photocatalyst of Cu 2−x Se/CdS was synthesized. • Cu 2−x Se/CdS p-n junction can reduce the recombination of electron-hole. • 10 wt% Cu 2−x Se/CdS exhibits optimized photocatalysis active. • Photocatalytic mechanism of Cu 2−x Se/CdS was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]