Two‐step self‐assembly CdS/g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ heterostructure composites with higher photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation

Different percentages of CdS/g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ heterostructure composite photocatalysts are fabricated to promote the visible light‐driven photocatalytic performance via a two‐step self‐assembly procedure. The prepared samples are studied by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectra (DRS), steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminence. In the photocatalytic experiment, the CdS/g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ heterostructure composites display higher photocatalytic performance, which is proved by considering Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ mass ratios of CdS/g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ are adjusted, 5 wt% of g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ as sample CdS/g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$‐5 (CN5) displayed excellent photocatalytic performance. The degradation of RhB reaches 95% within 150 min under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic performance of the CdS/g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ heterostructure composites are increased because of the cooperative effects between CdS and g‐C${}_3$N${}_4$ and the well‐matched band gap structure. These facilitate effective separation of charges and effectively reduced electron–hole recombination, resulting in the higher photocatalytic performance. (© 2019 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)