Fabrication of microcrystalline cellulose/CdS nanocomposites and their photocatalytic properties

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanocomposites were prepared by using ultrasound wave irradiation. The as-prepared samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic behavior of MCC/CdS nanocomposites was evaluated using the degradation of a methyl orange (MeO) aqueous solution under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. Results showed that CdS nanoparticles were evenly distributed on the surface of MCC with little aggregation; the amount of Cd attached to the MCC was 23.75 % (w/w, Cd/composites). The MeO degradation rate was much higher when the MCC/CdS nanocomposites were irradiated with UV light than when CdS powder alone was irradiated. In dark conditions, the MCC/CdS nanocomposites showed almost no photocatalytic activity. In addition, the amount of MCC/CdS nanocomposites added to MeO solution and the initial pH of the MeO solution were also important factors influencing the photocatalytic activity. The results show that MCC/CdS nanocomposites are promising materials with excellent performance in photocatalytic applications. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.