Abstract
Photocorrosion and toxicity are the main constraints facing wide application of the CdS-based nanomaterials. In this study, CdS/PdS alloy is introduced as a core inside poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) nanofibers as a novel, efficient, reusable and easily recyclable photocatalyst. The core-shell structure was achieved using simple, effective and high yield technique: electrospinning. Typically, the CdS/PdS alloy was synthesized inside the polymer solution using cadmium acetate dihydrate, palladium acetate and ammonium sulfide precursors. Electrospinning of the obtained colloidal solution led to produce core-shell structure due to resultant water from formation of CdS/PdS reactions. The utilized physiochemical characterizations affirmed formation of the CdS/PdS alloy as well as the core-shell morphology. The obtained CdPdS-PVAc electrospun nanofibers exhibit good photocatalytic performance toward dye degradation. Two azo dyes, Reactive black 5 (RB5) and Reactive Orange 16 (RO16), were completely eliminated within very short time. Moreover, the photocatalytic efficiency was not affected after three consecutive cycles for both dyes. This solar-light-driven reusable CdPdS-PVAc hybrid mat photocatalyst can be easily applied for industrial application, especially in the open water surface. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.