Research Article

Electrodeposited CdS Nanoparticles as Photocatalysts for Methyl Orange Removal

Abstract

Cadmium sulphide CdS NPs thin films were synthesized by electrochemical deposition using a two electrode, aluminum as the cathode (working electrode/substrates) and the inert graphite as anode (counter electrode). The electrolyte contained Cd (NO3)2.4H2O (0.7 M), Thiourea (CH4N2S) (0.7 M), and Sodium sulfate Na2SO4 (0.1 M), and the PH was adjusted to 8 with (0.1 M) KOH, increasing deposition time and current density led thicker and higher-quality CdS thin film, obtained within the voltage range of 2-5 V. The photocatalytic performance of CdS thin film was evaluated utilize methyl orange (MO) as a model contaminant. A maximum decolorization efficiency of 90% was achieved for 5 ppm MO solution. The degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. UV-vis analysis in the existence of CdS NPs thin film. The Structural and surface characterization using XRD, UV-Vis, EDX and SEM, confirming the formation of well-defined CdS nanoparticales with good photocatalytic activity.