Synthesis and photo-catalytic property of TiO 2 nanotube arrays/ZnS

TiO 2 nanotube arrays/ZnS (TNAs/ZnS) nanocomposites were synthesized successfully via anodic oxidation method and hydrothermal method as well. In this study, field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to monitor the morphological features and elemental composition of the samples. UV–Vis absorption spectra showed the absorption performance in both UV and visible light regions. In addition, the photo-catalytic activity of the samples was measured by the photo-degradation rate of methylene blue. From the result, we could notice that the morphology of the samples would change gradually when the amounts of zinc source and sulfur source changed, and the hydrothermal temperature was one of the significant factors which influenced the morphology. EDS spectra showed the existence of zinc and sulfur elements. Photo-catalytic activity test indicated that the photo-degradation rate of MB rises up to 91.6% after 240 min. Furthermore, there existed an expected relationship between the photo-degradation rate and the amounts of zinc source and sulfur source. UV–Vis absorption spectra of the samples also verified the result of photo-catalytic activity test.