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) - Wang, Jiu-Ju
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.