Mesoporous CdS-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticle assemblies with enhanced photocatalytic properties: Selective aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohols

Abstract Mesoporous TiO 2 -based semiconductors with visible-light response are promising materials for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemistry applications. In this work, we have used surfactant-assisted aggregating assembly of CdS and TiO 2 nanocrystals to assemble mesoporous binary CdS-TiO 2 heterostructure. The product features a three-dimensional network of interconnected CdS quantum dots and anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles and exhibits large internal BET surface area (157 m 2  g −1 ) and uniform pores (ca. 7.5 nm). Catalytic experiments showed an exceptionally high catalytic activity of these mesophases under UV–visible light oxidation of various para -substituted aryl alcohols, using molecular oxygen as oxidant. Moreover, product analysis and kinetic results indicated that these photooxidation reactions proceed via an electron transfer route from alcohol substrate to the excited states of the catalyst.