Cu-glutathione (Cu-GSH)/CdS/WO 3 Ternary Photocatalyst: Fabrication and Bifunctional Photocatalytic Performance

Pure CdS suffers severe carrier recombination and photocorrosion, while Cu nanoparticles easily aggregate and oxidize. Herein, Cu-glutathione (Cu- GSH)/CdS/WO 3 ternary visible-light photocatalysts were fabricated via stepwise electrostatic self-assembly for tetracycline oxidative degradation and selective reduction of nitroaromatics. CdS nanosheets and WO 3 nanoblocks were hydrothermally synthesized, and the optimal CdS/WO 3 binary heterojunction was screened by mass ratio regulation. With GSH as reductant and protector, Cu-GSH nanoparticles of varying loadings were in-situ anchored on the binary substrate. Samples were systematically characterized by XRD, electron microscopy, XPS, N 2 adsorption, photoelectrochemical and EPR tests, followed by bifunctional photocatalytic evaluation. The CdS/WO 3 Z-scheme separates carriers, and loaded Cu-GSH forms Schottky contact to further restrain recombination and broaden visible-light response. The 7 wt% Cu-GSH composite exhibits optimal activity: it fully degrades 40 mg/L tetracycline in 30 min and efficiently reduces nitrobenzene/p-nitroaniline under visible light, with stable performance over five cycles. EPR verifies ·OH and ·O 2 - as active species. Synergistic Z-scheme and Schottky junctions accelerate charge transfer, and GSH shields Cu against oxidation. This ternary material offers an eco-efficient strategy for synchronous removal of aquatic antibiotic and nitroaromatic contaminants.