Preparation of mesoporous CdS-containing TiO₂ film and enhanced visible light photocatalytic property

Highlights: • Well-dispersed distribution of CdS nanoparticles inside of TiO₂ mesoporous structures was fabricated. • The sensitization of CdS nanoparticles significantly extends the response of TiO₂ mesoporous film in the visible region. • An improved visible light photocatalytic activity was observed by the CdS–MTF. - Abstract: Mesoporous TiO₂ films containing CdS nanocrystals were successfully fabricated by a two-step process of successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique and a solvothermal method followed by annealing. The distribution of CdS nanoparticles in the inner structures of the TiO₂ mesoporous films is confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope. The CdS modification of the mesoporous films results in an increase in the visible light adsorption, and exhibits more excellent photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation