Synthesis of the nanostructured Cd4GeS6 photocatalysts and their visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation property

This study reports a simple thiourea reduction method to prepare nanostructured Cd4GeS6 with direct band gap. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis). The photocatalytic activity of the Cd4GeS6 was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) aqueous under visible light irradiation. The enhanced activities of Cd4GeS6 can be attributed to the direct band gap and large surface area, which is favorable for degradation of reactants, enhancement of photo-adsorption and transfer of photogenerated carriers. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.