Preparation of novel CdS-graphene/TiO2 composites with high photocatalytic activity for methylene blue dye under visible light

Abstract

In this study, CdS combined graphene/TiO2 (CdS-graphene/TiO 2) composites were prepared by a sol-gel method to improve on the photocatalytic performance of TiO2. These composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic activities were examined by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation rate of MB under visible light irradiation reached 90.1% during 150 min. The kinetics of MB degradation were plotted alongside the values calculated from the Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation. 0.1 CGT sample showed the best photocatalytic activity, which was attributed to a cooperative reaction between the increase of photo-absorption effect by graphene and photocatalytic effect by CdS. © Indian Academy of Sciences.