Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride via a CdS-TiO(2) Heterostructure Composite under Visible Light Irradiation

A photocatalytic active CdS-TiO(2) heterostructure composite was prepared by hydrothermal method and its morphology and properties were characterized. Results indicate that the CdS nanoparticles deposited on the surface of a TiO(2) nanoparticles, which was in anatase phase. The particle scale of both of the components reached approximately 15 nm. In comparison to pure TiO(2) (410 nm), the light absorption edge of the heterostructure composite was 550 nm, which could extend the light response from UV to the visible region. Under visible light irradiation, the degradation efficiency of tetracycline hydrochloride by the CdS-TiO(2) composite achieved 87.06%, significantly enhancing photocatalytic activity than the as-prepared pure TiO(2) and commercial TiO(2) (Degussa P25). This character is attributed to the synergetic effect of these two components in the absorption of visible light.