Photoactivity enhancement of the CdxZn1−xS nanoparticles by immobilizing on the graphene under visible light irradiation

The photocatalytic activity of semiconductor is strongly dependent on the efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. In the present work, the graphene-immobilized CdxZn1−xS nanoparticles with a uniform and small diameter have been prepared by one-step solvothermal route. After dispersing CdxZn1−xS on the graphene surface well, the composites of CdxZn1−xS and graphenes show better photocatalytic activity than pure CdxZn1−xS nanoparticles. And the issue of photocorrosion, a disadvantage of CdxZn1−xS photocatalysts, has also been solved partly. The mechanisms on enhancement of photocatalytic activity were further investigated. Under visible light irradiation, photogenerated electrons of CdxZn1−xS can be transferred into the graphene, and the electron and hole was effectively separated, leading to the photoactivity enhancement.