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Urchin-like CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposite prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal combined with ion-exchange and its multimode photocatalytic activity

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Abstract

A series of urchin-like CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposites with different mole ratios of Cd/Zr were prepared by a two-step method combining the microwave-assisted hydrothermal and ion exchange methods. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements. The results of the study revealed that the CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposites had mixed phases of tetragonal ZrO2 and hexagonal CdS. Moreover, the samples prepared by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method possessed the urchin-like structure with a surface composed of protrude-like nanoparticles in large quantities. The absorption in the visible region changed slightly with increasing mole ratio of Cd/Zr. Moreover, compared to the nanocomposites prepared by the conventional heating, the nanocomposites prepared by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis showed significantly different Brunauer–Emmett–Teller values, and the urchin-like CdS/ZrO2 structures were obtained. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation indicated that the photocatalytic activity of the CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposite with CdS/ZrO2 molar ratio of 30 % was higher than those of CdS, ZrO2, and other different ratios of CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposites. Moreover, under UV light, visible light, and microwave-assisted multimode photocatalytic degradation, the urchin-like CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposites significantly affected the photodegradation of various dyes. To understand the possible reaction mechanism of the photocatalysis by the CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposites, a series of controlled experiments were performed, and the stability and reusability of the CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposites were further investigated by the photocatalytic reaction.

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Acknowledgments

The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21376126), Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province, China (B201106), Scientific Research of Heilongjiang Province Education Department, China (12511592), Government of Heilongjiang Province Postdoctoral Grants, China (LBH-Z11108), Open Project of Green Chemical Technology Key of Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province College, China (2013 year) and Postdoctoral Researchers in Heilongjiang Province of China Research Initiation Grant Project (LBH-Q13172).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, People’s Republic of China

    Li Li, Lili Wang, Xiuli Zhang, Xi Chen & Xue Dong

  2. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, People’s Republic of China

    Li Li, Lili Wang, Wenzhi Zhang, Xiuli Zhang & Xi Chen

  3. College of Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China

    Li Li

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  1. Li Li
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Correspondence to Li Li.

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Li, L., Wang, L., Zhang, W. et al. Urchin-like CdS/ZrO2 nanocomposite prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal combined with ion-exchange and its multimode photocatalytic activity. J Nanopart Res 16, 2753 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-014-2753-z

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