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A CdS/ZnSe/TiO2 nanotube array and its visible light photocatalytic activities
VanManh Nguyen1, Weili Li2, VanHuan Pham2
1State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Faculty of Chemical Technology, Hanoi University of Industry, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
A novel cadmium sulfide/zinc selenide/titanium dioxide nanotube array (CdS/ZnSe/TiO2 NTA) photoelectrode demonstrates enhanced performance for photocatalysis. This advanced material significantly boosts charge separation and visible-light utilization, leading to efficient methyl orange degradation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photocatalysis
Background:
- Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTA) are widely studied for photoelectrochemical applications.
- Enhancing charge separation and visible-light absorption in TiO2-based photoelectrodes is crucial for improved performance.
- Composite nanostructures offer synergistic effects for advanced photocatalytic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel CdS/ZnSe/TiO2 NTA photoelectrode.
- To investigate the enhanced photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic activity of the composite NTA.
- To evaluate the efficiency of the CdS/ZnSe/TiO2 NTA in degrading methyl orange under solar irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TiO2 NTA using an unspecified method.
- Deposition of ZnSe nanoparticles (NPs) onto TiO2 NTA via pulse electrodeposition.
- Growth of CdS quantum dots (QDs) onto ZnSe/TiO2 NTA using successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR).
- Characterization of photoelectrode performance through photocurrent density measurements.
- Assessment of photocatalytic activity via methyl orange (MO) degradation experiments.
Main Results:
- The CdS/ZnSe/TiO2 NTA photoelectrode exhibited a maximum photocurrent density of 8.25 mAcm(-2).
- This photocurrent density was 37.5, 15.86, and 1.56 times higher than bare TiO2 NTA, ZnSe/TiO2 NTA, and CdS/TiO2 NTA, respectively.
- Under solar light irradiation (100 mW/cm(2)), 90.05% of methyl orange was degraded within 120 minutes.
- The composite structure significantly improved charge separation and visible-light utilization efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The novel CdS/ZnSe/TiO2 NTA photoelectrode demonstrates superior photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic activity.
- The synergistic effects of CdS QDs and ZnSe NPs on the TiO2 NTA enhance charge transport and light harvesting.
- This advanced photoelectrode shows great potential for environmental remediation applications, such as pollutant degradation.
