One major source of water pollution is the release of industrial dyes into bodies of water.  The degradation of such dyes has thus been the subject of much research, particularly focused on photocatalytic degradation using TiO2.  However, TiO2 requires UV light activation, making it unsatisfactory for dye decomposition using solar energy.  Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanostructures with different morphologies have exhibited superior performance, even under visible light, and surface area has been shown to be a key factor in determining performance.  The Brock group has previously developed a method for assembling CdS nanostructures into aerogels with high surface area.  Here we report the photocatalytic activity of CdS aerogel materials for decomposition of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation.  The relative efficacy of the aerogel architecture relative to denser structures (xerogels) and discrete nanoparticles will be presented, and the suitability of CdS aerogels for solar energy remediation of chemical pollutants discussed.

CdS aerogels: Novel catalysts for visible light photodecomposition of dyes

245th National Meeting (2013)

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