CdS nanoarchitectures with interconnected channels: a novel platform for high-performance photocatalysis

Structural engineering represents one of the effective strategies for enhancing the performance of semiconductor photocatalysts. Herein, cadmium sulfide nanoparticles with interconnected channel structures (CdS CNPs) were successfully synthesized via an anion exchange method. The as-prepared CdS CNPs exhibited a unique walnut-like morphology and possessed well-defined internal channel structures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that the channel inside originates from the substitution of citrate ligands in the CdS/Cd‑Cit precursor by S²⁻ ions. Compared with solid CdS nanoparticles (NPs), the CdS CNPs exhibited a larger specific surface area and stronger visible light absorption capacity. Under visible light irradiation, the degradation rate of Rhodamine B by CdS CNPs was more than five times higher than that by CdS NPs. This work on CdS CNPs paves a new pathway for the rational design of high-performance single-component photocatalysts via structural engineering.