Efficient visible-light photocatalytic performance of CdS/BiPO4 nanoparticles fabricated by solvothermal method

Visible-light CdS/BiPO4 nanoparticles were prepared by a solvothermal method. The as-prepared CdS/BiPO4 nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL). The CdS/BiPO4 nanoparticles exhibited better photocatalytic performance and higher stability of photodegradation of malachite green (MG). And the highest photodegradation rate of MG is up to 98 %. In addition, the mechanism of photocatalysis was demonstrated based on the radical-trapping experiments. The performance of CdS/BiPO4 nanoparticles in photocatalysis is mainly attributed to the carriers separation and electron migration from CdS to BiPO4 efficiently via intimate contact with the interface. The heterojunction formed by CdS/BiPO4 is helpful to inhibit the recombination of electrons and holes.This work puts forward a viewpoint for the design of CdS/BiPO4 nanoparticles in order to making use of solar energy more efficiently and providing some perspectives on the process of photo-generated carrier migration.