Popcorn-like ZnFe2O4/CdS nanospheres for high-efficient photocatalyst degradation of rhodamine B

The popcorn-shaped ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) nanospheres has been produced by one-pot synthesis method. CdS nanoparticles (NPs) were subsequently loaded onto the surface of porous ZnFe2O4 through the successive ion layer adsorption (SILAR) process. The microstructure, composition, and degradation ability of ZFO/CdS NPs composites have been examined in-depth. Under the four SILAR cycles, the resulting ZFO/CdS NPs (FS4) composite displayed the maximum degradation efficiency of 93.2% for rhodamine B (RhB) in 40 min, and which maintained high photocatalytic activity and a stable structure after five reuse. The heterojunction between CdS and ZFO can dramatically improves the separation efficiency of photo-generated electron-hole pairs, thus boosts catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the radical scavenging investigations have demonstrated that the superoxide radicals as the principal reactive group participate in the photocatalytic reactions. The proposed ZFO/CdS NPs composites shows high photocatalytic ability and convenient magnetic recycling. This work not only provide a practical green synthesis path, but also offers new insight onto the formation of high-efficiency heterojunction photocatalysts. [Display omitted] •The cost-effective synthesis was first developed to prepare popcorn-like ZnFe2O4.•Novel ZnFe2O4/CdS NPs were obtained by improved SILAR reaction.•The particle size of ZnFe2O4/CdS is small and uniform.•ZnFe2O4/CdS has excellent photocatalytic performance.