Catalysis

Engineering

Nanoparticle

Methyl orange

Photocurrent

Photodegradation

Photochemistry

Materials science

Rhodamine B

Nanocomposite

Chemical engineering

Visible spectrum

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Heterojunction

Chemistry

Photocatalysis

Optoelectronics

Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

Herein we have assembled CdS nanoparticles onto the surface of Bi 4 Ti 3 O 1 (BTO) hierarchical microspheres to construct core-shell BTO/CdS heterojunction photocatalysts. The as-prepared samples are systematically analyzed by various methods (e.g., XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV–vis DR spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy), confirming the formation of core-shell structured BTO/CdS composites. Photocurrent response and EIS analyses demonstrate that enhanced separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs is realized in the BTO/CdS heterojunctions. Simulated-sunlight driving photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) reveals that the optimal composite sample 20%BTO/CdS is endowed with a photocatalytic activity about 1.6 and 3.3 times higher than that of bare CdS and BTO, respectively. Moreover, the 20%BTO/CdS heterojunction photocatalyst also exhibits excellent photocatalytic elimination of methyl orange (MO)/rhodamine B (RhB)/MB mixture dyes, ciprofloxacin (CIP), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and Cr(VI) ions. The enhanced photocatalytic mechanism of the BTO/CdS heterojunction photocatalysts was discussed based on a Z-scheme carrier transfer process. • Core-shell BTO/CdS heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared. • They are constructed by coating CdS nanoparticles onto the surface of BTO hierarchical microspheres. • The BTO/CdS heterojunction photocatalysts are endowed with enhanced photocatalytic activity. • Potential application of the BTO/CdS heterojunction photocatalysts were systematically investigated. • The mechanism of the heterojunction photocatalysts was discussed.

Preparation of core-shell heterojunction photocatalysts by coating CdS nanoparticles onto Bi4Ti3O12 hierarchical microspheres and their photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants and Cr(VI) ions