Enhanced visible-light-driven hydrogen generation by in situ formed photocatalyst RGO–CdS–NixS from metal salts and RGO–CdS composites. Issue 20 (24th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Jiu-Ju; Wang, Jing; Feng, Ke; Zhang, Hui-Hui; Li, Zhi-Jun; Liu, Bin; Tung, Chen-Ho; Wu, Li-Zhu
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 5:Issue 20(2017)
• Page Start: 9537
• Page End: 9543
• Publication Date: 2017-03-24
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ta00336f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A simple in situ method is applied to fabricate (RGO) n –CdS–Ni x S photocatalyst for efficient H2 production. Abstract : Artificial photosynthesis for H2 production is regarded as a promising strategy to deal with the future energy crisis and environmental problems. To design highly efficient and low-cost photocatalysts is highly desired. Herein, we develop a novel photocatalyst (RGO) n –CdS–Ni x S ( n = 0–7) in situ made simply from the NiCl2 precursor and (RGO) n –CdS composites at room temperature with enhanced visible-light-driven H2 evolution activity. (RGO)2 –CdS–Ni x S shows the highest activity for H2 production in ethanol aqueous solution with a rate up to 17.5 μmol h −1 mg −1, which is about 36 times higher than that of bare CdS, 23.4 times higher than that in the absence of Ni 2+ ((RGO)2 –CdS), and 2.43 times higher than that in the absence of the graphene scaffold under the same conditions. UV-vis DRS, emission spectra, BET analysis and electrocatalytic activity as well as elemental mapping images suggest that the Ni 2+ salt is well fabricated on (RGO)2 –CdS for enhanced photocatalytic performance. Accordingly, other metal-based photocatalysts (RGO)2 –CdS–M (M = Co 2+, Fe 2+ or Mn 2+ ) also exhibit high H2 evolution activity. This study highlights a simple in situ deposition method to fabricate low-cost and highly active photocatalysts for H2 production.