Controlled growth and photocatalytic properties of CdS nanocrystals implanted in layered metal hydroxide matrixes

Abstract

Layered double hydroxide Cd(1)(-)(x)()Al(x)()(OH)(2)(DS)(x)().3.0H(2)O (CdAlDS) and a related hydroxide salt compound Cd(2)(OH)(3)(DS).2.5H(2)O (CdDS), where DS stands for dodecyl sulfate sandwiched between two adjacent inorganic layers, have been synthesized and used as precursors for CdS nanoparticle growth. Through a gas/solid reaction, CdS nanocrystals implanted in the layer matrixes of the layered double hydroxides are grown, and the sizes of the nanocrystals vary in the range of 3-6 nm in diameter. The presence of trivalent Al cations in the layered double hydroxide can be taken advantage of to control the size of the CdS nanocrystals, and it also helps to prevent the formed nanocrystals from extraction from the solid matrixes. The nano-CdS implanted composite exhibits high photocatalytic activity for degradation of the nonbiodegradable rhodamine B under both UV and visible irradiations.