Tailoring cadmium sulfide-based photocatalytic nanomaterials for water decontamination: a review

Global energy demand and pollution are calling for advanced materials such as visible light semiconductor photocatalysts. In particular, cadmium sulfide (CdS) appears promising due to its tunable bandgap, high absorption of visible light and excellent optical properties. Here we review the photocatalytic mechanism, properties, synthesis and application to wastewater treatment of CdS photocatalysts. Strategies to improve photocatalytic performance include heteroatom doping, heterojunction formation, morphology and crystallinity modification, hybridization with co-catalysts and the use of carbon materials.