Synthesis of CdS@ZnO nanocomposites with wide visible light absorption range

Abstract

In this paper, urchin-like ZnO nanostructures were synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal method. CdS was deposited on the ZnO nanostructures by the deposition method. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the morphology and structure of samples. FESEM images show that urchin-like ZnO nanostructures gradually turn into flower-like CdS@ZnO nanostructures with the increase of deposition times. XRD patterns confirm that the ZnO nanostructures present hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure and CdS@ZnO nanostructures have high crystallinity. UV-vis absorption spectra and photoluminescence spectra (PL) were used to characterize the optical properties of samples. The results show that CdS@ZnO nanocomposites have higher visible light utilization when compared with the pure urchin-like ZnO. Furthermore, the results of photocatalysis experiments show that the absorption towards visible light of ZnO is significantly enhanced because of the incorporation of CdS. This kind of material with excellent optical properties can be used in photocatalysis and optoelectronic devices.