Preparation and photocatalytic performance of CdS@Bi2WO6 hybrid nanocrystals.

The hybrid nanocrystals of cadmium sulfide (CdS) and bismuth tungstate (Bi 2 WO 6) (CdS@Bi 2 WO 6) were well-prepared in the nanoreactors of Bi 2 WO 6 -contained sodium polyacrylate (PAANa) latex particles, by means of cadmium sulfate/sodium sulfide (CdSO 4 /Na 2 S) solutions absorption and solvothermal treatment. The influences of CdSO 4 /Na 2 S millimolar ratio on structure and photocatalytic performance of hybrid nanocrystals were investigated. With 3:1 of Cd2+/S2- millimolar ratio in feeding, CdS nanorods on the surface of Bi 2 WO 6 cluster were obtained and its length increased after solvothermal treating; the resultant CdS@Bi 2 WO 6 degraded 96.1% of RhB after illuminating for 120 min, which was more effective than others. With the 1:2 or 1:3 of Cd2+/S2- millimolar ratio, the solvothermal treated cubic-CdS were agglomerated to cluster which attached on the surface of Bi 2 WO 6 cluster, and the agglomerates size increased accordingly. The photocatalytic mechanism suggests that the superoxide ions and holes were the active species produced by CdS@Bi 2 WO 6 in the photocatalytic process. The grown CdS nanorods on the surface of Bi 2 WO 6 had better charge separation ability than the grown CdS clusters on the surface of Bi 2 WO 6. The CdS@Bi 2 WO 6 hybrid nanocrystal with the definite-designed structure will possess the excellent photocatalytic performance. • CdS@Bi 2 WO 6 are prepared in PAANa nanoreactor. • Absorption process influences on CdS@Bi 2 WO 6 structure. • CdS nanorods is on the surface of Bi 2 WO 6 cluster. • CdS@Bi 2 WO 6 degrades 96.1% of RhB. • Combined process provides an innovating photocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]