Cd1-xNixS nanocrystals decorated flower-like Mn doped In2O3 microspheres with enhanced reduction activity of CO2

Photocatalytic CO 2 reduction technology provides a promising approach to solve the energy and environmental problems. In this work, flower-like MnIn 2 S 4 microspheres were prepared by solvothermal method , and then calcined in air to obtain flower-like Mn doped In 2 O 3 (Mn:In 2 O 3 ) microspheres . Subsequently, Ni doped CdS (Cd 1-x Ni x S) nanocrystals were prepared and compounded with Mn doped In 2 O 3 to obtain Cd 1-x Ni x S/Mn:In 2 O 3 composite photocatalysts . It was found that Cd 0 · 96 Ni 0 · 04  S/Mn:In 2 O 3 had the best photocatalytic CO 2 reduction activity. The CO yield reached to 43.40 μmol g −1 in 3 h. The improved CO 2 reduction property were attributed to not only the increased light absorption capacity and the expanded surface area but also the enhanced charge separation efficiency that caused by the construction of Z-scheme heterostructure . The design and preparation of high-efficiency photocatalyst would be an effective way to promote the development of photocatalytic CO 2 reduction.