Synthesis and characterization of a Cu₂S-modified ZnO-based photocatalyst for enhanced visible light absorption

Abstract

A ZnO/CdS/Cu2S composite photocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized by a three-step process. The results of XRD, XPS, SEM, and UV–Vis analysis show that ZnO nanosheets were successfully compounded with CdS nanoparticles, and the surface of CdS was successfully modified by Cu2S under ultraviolet light. Photocatalytic measurements were carried out and the results show that the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO/CdS/Cu2S reached 95%. Compared with ZnO ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]), the kinetic constant of ZnO/CdS/Cu2S was up to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text], which shows its excellent photocatalytic activity. A photocatalytic mechanism was proposed to illustrate the high activity separation efficiency.