Zn:In(OH)ySz solid solution nanoplates: synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic mechanism.

Zn:In(OH)ySz solid solution nanoplates (Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSNs) with uniform nanoparticle size were synthesized through a simple sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-assisted hydrothermal process. To achieve better photoabsorption in the visible light (VL) region and suitable redox potentials of the Zn:In(OH)ySz solid solution (Zn:In(OH)ySz-SS), the substitution of S(2-) for OH was carried out by adjusting the concentration of thiourea and SDS in the synthesis solution, while the doping of Zn2+ was realized by adjusting Zn2+ concentration. In addition, the morphology and crystallinity of Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSs were also controlled by the concentration of SDS. Using Rhodamine B (RhB) as a target pollutant the photocatalytic performance of these Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSs with different components, diameter sizes, and morphologies was investigated. Remarkably, Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSNs prepared with atomic ratio of Zn2+ and In3+ of 0.6, 45 mmol L(-1) thiourea, and 26 mmol L(-1) SDS, have the highest visible-light-driven (VLD) photocatalytic activity, exceeding 95% for the degradation of RhB after 60 min. The investigation of photocatalylic mechanism further indicates that the holes, superoxide radical (*O2(-)) and surficial hydroxyl radical (*OHs) are the major reactive species for the photocatalytic reactions. More importantly, for the first time, a simple and versatile strategy is developed to confirm the fact that direct contact between the Zn:In(OH)ySz-SS and RhB is the prerequisite for the photocatalytic degradation of RhB. Therefore, we report not only the preparation of a novel and effective VL-driven photocatalyst, but also provide mechanistic insight into semiconductor photocatalysis.

A new visible-light photocatalyst: CdS quantum dots embedded mesoporous TiO2.

Cadmium sulfide quantum dots (QDs) sensitized mesoporous TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by preplanting cadmium oxide as crystal seeds into the framework of ordered mesoporous titanium dioxide and then converting CdO to CdS QDs through ion-exchange. The presence of CdS QDs in the TiO2 framework extended its photoresponse to the visible-light region by accelerating the photogenerated electron transfer from the inorganic sensitizer to TiO2. The new photocatalyst showed excellent photocatalytic efficiency for both oxidation of NO gas in air and degradation of organic compounds in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The photocatalysts were characterized byX RD, N2 adsorption-desorption, TEM, XPS, UV/vis, and PL spectroscopy. The relationship between the physicochemical properties and the photocatalytic performance of the sample is discussed.