A Bimetal Sulfide Nanocomposites Displaying Photocatalytic Performance Based on a MOFs Template Method

Abstract— The paper described a superior method for preparing photodegradation catalysts based on a metallic-organic framework (MOFs) template. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles with high photocatalytic activity are a transition metal sulfide semiconductor. Here, the Co₂Zn₁–MOF bimetallic template was successfully synthesised by solvothermal conditions and then calcined in air to obtain bimetallic oxides. In addition, a new class of bimetal composite photo-catalytic material (ZnS–Co₃S₄/CdS) was successfully synthesized by sulphiding and compounding with CdS nanoparticles. The resulting materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis) analysis. The photocatalytic activities were also studied, and the photo-degradation mechanism of composite is discussed briefly. The results suggest that the bimetal composite material has good morphology and a suitable size. The bimetallic material composited with nano-CdS particles (ZnS–Co₃S₄/CdS) may be a new type of photocatalytic material to treat organic pollutants in water. This work provides a new approach to synthesizing efficient semiconductor photocatalysts based on MOFs template.