Design of ZnCdS Quantum Dots Loaded on Mesoporous Silica as a UV-Light-Sensitive Photocatalyst

The synthesis of ZnCdS nanomaterial in MCM-41 matrix has been realized by chemical synthesis among MCM-41, ZnCl2, and CdCl2 via an ion exchange method in aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to characterize the products. Several parameters were examined, catalyst amount (0.1–6 g L−1), pH (3–12), and initial concentration of MB (0.16–3.2 ppm). The extent of degradation was estimated from the residual concentration by spectrophotometrically. The average size of ZnCdCl2 in MCM-41 nanostructure was obtained about 3 nm by TEM.