Synthesis and Property of H2La2Ti3O10/CdS Layered Nanocomposite Photocatalyst

H2La2Ti3O10/CdS nanocomposite with higher photoactivity was synthesized by a stepwise exchange process from H2La2Ti3O 10 , which was obtained by H+-exchanging reaction of K2La2Ti3O 10 with HCl other than the normally used HNO3. The pillaring process was investigated by XRD, TEM, FT-IR and BET methods. The photocatalytic decomposition of aniline was used as the model system to evaluate the photochemical properties of H2La2Ti3O 10 /CdS, H2La2Ti3O 10 and K2La2Ti3O 10 . It is found that the photoactivity of layered H2La2Ti3O 10 is greatly improved by the intercalation of CdS in the interlayer. In general, the excellent photoactivity of the H2La2Ti3O 10 /CdS nanocomposite might be attributing to the extremely small particle size of incorporated CdS and good contact between CdS and La2Ti3O 10 2- layers. On the other hand, the coupling of two semiconductor particles with different energy gap is useful to achieve effective charge separation. In H2La2Ti3O 10 /CdS, a photo-generated electron can transfer from CdS to the La2Ti3O 10 2- layer, while the holes remain in the CdS particles. This helps to diffuse the electrons and holes before reaching the interface, and the holes and electrons can be effectively captured by the electrolyte in the solution. Simultaneously, the optimal operating condition of photodecomposition aniline was investigated.