<i>In situ</i> fabrication of a direct <i>Z</i> -scheme photocatalyst by immobilizing CdS quantum dots in the channels of graphene-hybridized and supported mesoporous titanium nanocrystals for high photocatalytic performance under visible light

摘要： We report the considerable advantages of direct Z-scheme photocatalysts by immobilizing high-quality CdS quantum dots (QDs) in the channels of graphene-hybridized and supported mesoporous titania (GMT) nanocrystals (CdS@GMT/GR) under facile hydrothermal conditions. The photocatalysts have been characterized by XRD, PL, XPS, SEM, DRS, TEM, EIS, and N2 adsorption. CdS QDs primarily serve as photosensitizers with a unique pore-embedded structure for the e?ective utilization of the light source. This direct Z-scheme CdS@GMT/GR exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than CdS/GR, GMT/GR, or CdS@MT. In addition, the rate constant of CdS@GMT/GR-2 is approximately twice the sum of those of CdS@MT and GMT/GR, because GR played the role of hole-transporting and collection layer as well as the hybridization level formation in terms of hybridizing MT and serving as a support. Therefore, the GR content tunes the energy band, a?ects the surface area, and controls the interfacial hole transfer and collection rate of the direct Z-scheme system. Furthermore, CdS@GMT/GR retains its high performance in repeated photocatalytic processes. This can be attributed to the fact that GR prevents QDs from photocorrosion by means of the hole-transporting and collection e?ect. A possible reaction mechanism is proposed. This work provides a promising strategy for the construction of highly e?cient visible-light-driven photocatalysts to reduce the growing menace of environmental pollution.