Effect of Noble Metal in CdS/M/TiO 2 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue under Visible Light

Abstract

The CdS/M/TiO 2 (M = Ag, Ru, Au, Pd, and Pt) three-component nanojunction systems were constructed using a two-step photodeposition method, and evaluated for their photocatalytic activities through the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The authors found that the photocatalytic activity of CdS/M/TiO 2 (M=Ag, Ru, Au, Pd, Pt) three-component nanojunctions was superior to that of CdS/TiO 2 two-component system. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of the three-component nanojunction system was found to be dependent significantly on the type of the noble metals. The results can be explained by the influence of charge transfer on the basis of the work functions of different noble metals. © 2010 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.