Photocatalytic Investigation of Cadmium Oxide Nanosheets Prepared by Hydrothermal Method

In the present study, the hydrothermal method is successfully used to prepare cadmium oxide (CdO) nanosheets. X-ray diffraction pattern of powder confirmed the pure CdO with hexagonal crystal structure, and no impurity phases were present. Lattice parameters were found to be a = 0.321 nm and c = 0.519 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the morphology of the nanostructures which show a high yield of nanomaterials and two-dimensional sheet like morphology. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis showed specific surface area and pore size of 26 m²/g and 1.66 nm, respectively. Photoluminescence spectrum reveals the presence of multiple emission bands in the UV–Vis region. Photocatalytic activity of the CdO nanosheets was also performed on Coomassie Brilliant Blue. CdO nanosheets have shown higher degradation rate (0.47 min⁻¹) as compare to other morphologies.