Thermal Oxidation and SILAR Method to Prepare CuO/CdS Composite Nanostructure and Its Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties

In this study, a series of CuO/CdS composites were synthesized by thermal oxidation and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). The as-prepared CuO/CdS composites were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry. Their photocatalytic activity was investigated by monitoring the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. The XRD pattern indicated that the precursor was cubic-phase CuO and Cu2O. FESEM results indicate that changes in annealing time and temperature have an effect on morphology, but the nanowire structures are preserved. The growth mechanism of the CuO nanowires is discussed in detail. Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation rate of the MB, determined using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-vis, UV-2600, Shimadzu), indicates that CdS can significantly improve the absorption of visible light from the sun.

Automated summary

CuO/CdS composites were synthesized by thermal oxidation and SILAR, with CdS significantly improving visible light absorption for photocatalytic degradation of MB. FESEM results showed the morphology of the composites was affected by annealing conditions, but nanowire structures were maintained.