One-Step Carbothermal Synthesis of Robust CdS@BPC Photocatalysts in the Presence of Biomass Porous Carbons

Low cost biomass porous carbons (BPCs) were herein demonstrated as both reducing agents and material supports in the synthesis of robust CdS@BPC photocatalysts through a simple one-step, solvent-free, and atom economic carbothermal reaction pathway. Owing to the versatile functionality on surfaces of BPCs, the as-prepared CdS@BPCs exhibited excellent interface reaction activity and stability as photocatalysts for carbon dioxide (CO2) photoreduction and oxidative tetracycline (TC) degradation under visible irradiation. The considerably large surface area of BPCs (765–1005 m2 g–1) accounted for high CO2 adsorption affinity and TC adsorption, and thus the accessibility of guest molecules (CO2 and TC) to active interfaces of the photocatalysts was favorably promoted. In addition, a mechanism study indicated that BPCs, functioning as electron reservoirs, greatly enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and the transportation of electrons due to improved conductivity, because of which BPCs could be superior to other conventional carbonaceous supports such as granular activated carbons, carbon nanotubes, and graphene oxides. This work thus provides an alternative pathway to fabricate robust photocatalysts from environmentally friendly and sustainable biomass carbon precursors.