Modification of BiOI Microplates with CdS QDs for Enhancing Stability, Optical Property, Electronic Behavior toward Rhodamine B Decolorization, and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Fast recombination of photoinduced charge carriers is a major problem in the case of semiconductor based photocatalysts, which must be solved for their potential application in photocatalysis. In this work, photostable CdS QDs/BiOI composites have been successfully fabricated by a two-step precipitation–deposition method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Mott–Schottky, and electrochemical impedance analysis. The potential applications of CdS QDs/BiOI composite materials have been tested toward decolorization of rhodamine B (RhB) solution and hydrogen generation under solar light and visible light irradiation, respectively. It has been observed that hydroxyl radicals, electrons, and holes played a major role in decolorization of RhB solution. Among all prepared photocatalysts, 4% CdS QDs/BiOI composite wa...