Cadmium-rich CdS nanotubes were directly obtained at the air–water interface by a new photochemical route. Under ultraviolet light irradiation, branch-like lamellas were first formed on the surface of the precursor solution, and then they bent into nanotubes because of the composition difference between the two sides of lamellas during photochemical reactions and sulfur–air reactions. A typical nanotube has one spherical seal and one open end. Most of the cadmium was contained in the tubes and a little was doped in the tube-walls during their formation. Such nanotubes showed higher photocatalytic activity than the corresponding pure CdS nanotubes in the photodegradation of methylene blue because of the existence metal cadmium. This route is green, template/surfactant-free, reproducible and can be extended to prepare other binary compound semiconductor nanostructures containing elements that can react either with air or another gas.

Cadmium-rich CdS nanotubes were directly obtained at the air–water interface by a new photochemical route. Under ultraviolet light irradiation, branch-like lamellas were first formed on the surface of the precursor solution, and then they bent into nanotubes because of the composition difference between the two sides of lamellas during photochemical reactions and sulfur–air reactions. A typical nanotube has one spherical seal and one open end. Most of the cadmium was contained in the tubes and a little was doped in the tube-walls during their formation. Such nanotubes showed higher photocatalytic activity than the corresponding pure CdS nanotubes in the photodegradation of methylene blue because of the existence metal cadmium. This route is green, template/surfactant-free, reproducible and can be extended to prepare other binary compound semiconductor nanostructures containing elements that can react either with air or another gas.