Solvothermal Synthesis of One Dimensional Copper Doped Cadmium Sulphide Nanorods and Their Photocatalytic Performance

摘要

In this study, one dimensional Cu doped CdS with higher aspect ratio was synthesized by solvothermal technique. The Cu doping concentration was varied from 0.1 to 5 mol% (Cu_xCd_(1-x)S where x= 0.001, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.05). The prepared compositions were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques such as, UV-visible and photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron and Transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffractogram shows formation of crystalline CdS with hexagonal wurtzite structure. The DRS exhibits absorption edge between 520 to 530 nm revealing the band gap of 2.38 to 2.34 eV. Photoluminescence spectrum yielded two distinct peaks at ～515 and 602 nm. The broad emission band around ～515 nm corresponds to the band edge excitation. FE-SEM micrographs demonstrate the formation of nanorods with 30-50 nm diameter and 0.5 to 10 μm length. The aspect ratio of Cu_xCd_(1-x)S nanorods increased with increase in copper doping up to 1 mol%. TEM confirms the formation of crystalline nano rods of Cu doped CdS materials. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared Cu doped CdS was investigated for methylene blue degradation. Among the prepared compositions, Cu_(0.01)Cd_(0.99)S exhibits higher rate of degradation, rate constant observed is 1.42 × 10~(-2) min~(-1).