Development of highly efficient cost-effective CdS/Ag nanocomposite for removal of azo dyes under UV and solar light

Water pollution by toxic dyes is an environmental problem that threatens human health. A green technology to solve this problem is the use of highly efficient photocatalysts under visible/solar light to degrade these organic molecules. However, develop affordable photocatalytic particles with high luminescence performance, enhanced stability, and low degradation is still a challenge. Here, it is reported the hydrothermal synthesis of an advanced and cost-effective nanocomposite based on a ceramic, cadmium sulphide, covered by silver nanoparticles (CdS/Ag), with outstanding photocatalytic efficiency for toxic dyes degradation under ultraviolet and direct solar light. The CdS/Ag nanocomposite completely degrade the Reactive Red 120 (RR 120), Acid Black 1 (AB 1) and Direct Blue 15 (DB 15) dyes in both light irradiations. Without scavenger, about 93% of degradation was observed at 75 min, remaining a high stability (more than 90%) after fourth degradation cycles.