Hollow CdS-based photocatalysts

In recent years, photocatalytic technology, driven by solar energy, has been extensively investigated to ease energy crisis and environmental pollution. Nevertheless, efficiency and stability of photocatalysts are still unsatisfactory. To address these issues, design of advanced photocatalysts is important. Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanomaterials are one of the promising photocatalysts. Among them, hollow-structured CdS, featured with enhanced light absorption ability, large surface area, abundant active sites for redox reactions, and reduced diffusion distance of photogenerated carriers, reveals a broad application prospect. Herein, main synthetic strategies and formation mechanism of hollow CdS photocatalysts are summarized. Besides, we comprehensively discuss the current development of hollow-structured CdS nanomaterials in photocatalytic applications, including H 2 production, CO 2 reduction and pollutant degradation. Finally, brief conclusions and perspectives on the challenges and future directions for hollow CdS photocatalysts are proposed. • Fundamentals of photocatalysis are overviewed. • Merits of hollow CdS-based photocatalysts are summarized. • Their synthetic methods and modification strategies are presented. • Photocatalytic applications are discussed, including pollutant degradation, H 2 generation and CO 2 reduction. • Current challenges and future prospects are raised.