Synthesis and characterization of CdS-based ternary composite for enhanced visible light–driven photocatalysis

Abstract

Active ternary graphite and alumina-supported cadmium sulphide (CdS) composite was synthesized by impregnation method followed by high-temperature solid–gas reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The ternary CdS–graphite–alumina composite exhibited superior catalytic activity compared with the binary CdS–alumina composite due to its better visible-light absorption and higher charge separation. The ternary composite has a bed-type structure. It permits a greater interaction at the interface due to intimate contact between CdS and graphite in the ternary composite. This composite has a highly efficient visible light–driven photocatalytic activity for sustainable hydrogen production. It is also capable of degrading organic dyes in wastewater. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd