Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities of 0D/1D heterojunction carbon quantum dot modified CdS nanowires

Zero-dimensional carbon dots (0D C-dots) and one-dimensional sulfide cadmium nanowires (1D CdS NWs) were prepared by microwave and solvothermal methods, respectively. A series of heterogeneous photocatalysts that consisted of 1D CdS NWs that were modified with 0D C-dots (C-dots/CdS NWs) were synthesized using chemical deposition methods. The mass fraction of C-dots to CdS NWs in these photocatalysts was varied. The photocatalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Their photocatalytic performance for the spitting of water and the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation were investigated. The photocatalytic performance of the C-dots/CdS NWs was enhanced when compared with that of the pure CdS NWs, with the 0.4% C-dots/CdS NWs exhibiting the highest photocatalytic activity for the splitting of water and the degradation of RhB. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to a higher carrier density because of the heterojunction between the C-dots and CdS NWs. This heterojunction improved the electronic transmission capacity and promoted efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes.