Construction of Z-scheme CdS/Ag/TiO NTs photocatalysts for photocatalytic dye degradation and hydrogen evolution.

The ternary CdS/Ag/TiO NTs photocatalysts with indirect Z-scheme heterojunctions were synthesized by the photoreduction deposition of Ag and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) of CdS on TiO nanotube arrays (TiO NTs). The elemental composition, microstructure, photoresponse and photoelectrochemical property of the photocatalyst were systematically characterized. The results proved that compared with binary heterojunction, the light absorption range of the ternary CdS/Ag/TiO NTs photocatalyst was significantly extended, and the photoelectron transportation efficiency was improved.