Ternary CdS/MoS2/ZnO Photocatalyst: Synthesis, Characterization and Degradation of Ofloxacin Under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

Ternary CdS/MoS2/ZnO (CMZ) photocatalyst was prepared that successfully degraded ofloxacin antibiotic under visible light irradiation. SEM mapping analyses of CMZ showed homogenous elemental distribution. The XRD analysis shows that ternary composites contained ZnO in the hexagonal wurtzite, CdS in cubic phase and MoS2 in the hexagonal structure. UV-DRS results of CMZ exhibited thresholds of similar to 430 nm. The photocatalytic degradation studies were performed with ofloxacin antibiotic (290 nm) under visible light irradiation. BET results presented Type III isotherm and H3 hysteresis. Ternary CMZ showed higher photoelectrochemical and photocatalyic activity due to prolonged lifetime of charge it carries, crystalline defect and surface plasmon resonance of CdS. The kinetic rate constant of ternary CMZ was 4 times higher than that of CdS/MoS2 (CM). This study presents an effective photocatalysis and the mechanism of ofloxacin degradation by CMZ ternary composite heterojunction.