CdS quantum dots/Ti3+-TiO2 nanobelts heterojunctions as efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts

Highlights: • A novel CdS QDs/Ti³⁺-TiO₂ nanobelts heterojunction photocatalyst is prepared. • It narrows the bandgap and extends the photoresponse to visible light region. • It exhibits excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance. • It is due to synergistic effect of CdS QDs, Ti³⁺ self-doping and heterojunction. - Abstract: CdS quantum dots (QDs)/Ti³⁺-TiO₂ nanobelts heterojunctions as 0D/1D architectures are fabricated through hydrothermal-chemical bath deposition combine with in-situ solid-state chemical reduction approach. The CdS QDs of ∼7 nm are loaded on TiO₂ nanobelts with width of 50–300 nm and several micrometers long, and the heterojunctions are formed efficiently. The prepared heterojunctions exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance for complete removal of methylene blue (∼99%) and hydrogen production efficiency (∼480.6 μmol h⁻¹) under visible light irradiation, which are as high as 2 and 23 times than that of pristine TiO₂ nanobelts. The enhancement is attributed to the Ti³⁺ self-doping and CdS QDs extend the photoresponse to visible light region and the formation of heterojunctions favor the spatial separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Therefore, the high-efficient 0D/1D heterojunction composites have potential applications in the field of environment and energy.