Fullerene modification CdS/TiO2 to enhancement surface area and modification of photocatalytic activity under visible light

C-60-TiO2, CdS-TiO2 and CdS-Cso/TiO2 composites were prepared using a sol-gel method, and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by measuring the degradation of methylene blue (MB) solutions under visible light. The surface area, surface structure, crystal phase and elemental identification of these composites were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and UV-vis absorption spectra (UV-vis). XRD showed that the CdS-C-60/TiO2 composite contained a typical single and clear anatase phase. SEM of the CdS-C-60/TiO2 composites revealed a homogenous composition in the particles. EDX revealed the presence of C and Ti with strong Cd and S peaks in the CdS-C-60/TiO2 composite. The degradation of dye was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed and attributed to an increase in the photo-absorption effect by fullerene and the cooperative effect of the CdS. The advisable advance BET surface area can enhance the photo-degradation effect. The repeatability of photocatalytic activity was also tested in order to investigate the stability of C-60 and CdS-C-60/TiO2 composites. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.