Enhanced photocatalytic performance of S-scheme CdMoO4 /CdO nanosphere photocatalyst

The photoabsorption capacity, the number of active sites, and the efficiency of carrier separation of photo-catalysts are the main factors that restrict photocatalytic activity. Accordingly, a series of novel CdO-based S-scheme photocatalysts are prepared by a facile one-step precipitation-calcination method for the first time. Although CdO with a narrow band gap has no photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance, the CdMoO4/CdO composite exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) performance of the optimal ratio (3:4) is up to 7029 mu mol g -1 h -1 under visible light irradiation. At the same time, the CdMoO4/CdO composite also shows excellent degradation activity of water pollu-tants, and the degradation efficiency for Tetracycline hydrochloride, Oxytetracycline, Norfloxacin, Reactive red 2, and Levofloxacin is 96.33%, 95.38%, 88.48%, 95.93%, and 77.30% under visible light irradiation for 90min, respectively. According to the experimental characterization and theoretical calculation analysis, the introduction of CdMoO4 can be used to construct S-scheme heterojunction with CdO, improving the efficiency of charge separation as well as taking full advantage of redox ability, and hence improving su-perior photocatalysts performance. This work affords new insights into efficient PHE and antibiotic/dye degradation of CdO-based S-scheme photocatalysts.(c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.