Cd1-xNixS nanocrystals decorated flower-like Mn doped In2O3 microspheres with enhanced reduction activity of CO2

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction technology provides a promising approach to solve the energy and environmental problems. In this work, flower-like MnIn2S4 microspheres were prepared by solvothermal method, and then calcined in air to obtain flower-like Mn doped In2O3 (Mn:In2O3) microspheres. Subsequently, Ni doped CdS (Cd1-xNixS) nanocrystals were prepared and compounded with Mn doped In2O3 to obtain Cd1-xNixS/Mn:In2O3 composite photocatalysts. It was found that Cd0·96Ni0·04 S/Mn:In2O3 had the best photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity. The CO yield reached to 43.40 μmol g−1 in 3 h. The improved CO2 reduction property were attributed to not only the increased light absorption capacity and the expanded surface area but also the enhanced charge separation efficiency that caused by the construction of Z-scheme heterostructure. The design and preparation of high-efficiency photocatalyst would be an effective way to promote the development of photocatalytic CO2 reduction.