Synthesis of CdS/g-C3N4/Vermiculite Heterostructures with Enhanced Visible Photocatalytic Activity for Dye Degradation

In this study, CdS/g-C3N4/Vermiculite composites were prepared by hydrothermal and calcinated with expanded- vermiculite as host photocatalysis. Compared with other reference samples, the received CS/CN/VMT composite material has significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity on rhodamine B and methylene blue. The significantly enhanced catalytic efficiency is a benefit originating from the large specific surface area of vermiculite and the excellent electron transport efficiency between g-C3N4 and CdS. Moreover, the degradation rate of the catalyst can still reach 96 % after being repeated four times, indicating that the composite catalyst has facilitated stability and recyclability. Particle capture experiments and ESR studies show that the O-.(2)- is the primary active substance of CS/CN/VMT, and a possible photocatalytic degradation path has been proposed.