Ligand-Decomposition assistant formation of CdS/TiO2 hybrid nanostructure with enhanced photocatalytic activity

CdS decorated anatase TiO 2 without capping ligands between them was constructed by the reaction of amorphous TiO 2 sphere modified by thioglycolic acid with Cd 2+ during the heating process (95 °C) directly. We have confirmed that the crystallization of amorphous TiO 2 and the formation of CdS particles are driven by the decomposition of thioglycolic acid. Moreover, the dissociation of thioglycolic acid also avoids the influence of ligand on the charge transfer between TiO 2 and CdS which is beneficial to improving the photocatalytic activity. Benefiting from this fabrication strategy, the photocatalytic activity of the obtained photocatalysts presents the enhanced activity in the wastewater treatment under visible light irradiation compared to conventionally prepared photocatalysts with the ligand. • CdS/TiO 2 composites without capping ligands was fabricated. • The absence of ligand is beneficial to the transient photocurrent response of CdS/TiO 2 . • The crystallization of amorphous TiO 2 and the formation of CdS particles are driven by the decomposition of thioglycolic acid. • The different interactions between original TiO 2 and metal ions can influence the morphology of sulfide/TiO 2 composites.