Biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of ZnxCd1−xS nanocrystals and their outstanding photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production. (17th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Meiying; He, Yunfei; Chen, Hong; Zhao, Hongmei; You, Wansheng; Shi, Jingying; Zhang, Lancui; Li, Jiansheng
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 33(2017)
• Page Start: 20970
• Page End: 20978
• Publication Date: 2017-08-17
• Subjects: ZnxCd1−xS -- Hydrogen production -- Water splitting -- l-cystine -- Green synthesis; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.06.196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: To achieve scalable applications in solar hydrogen production, it is necessary to develop visible-light-responsive photocatalysts that are highly efficient, cost-effective, stable and environmentally-benign. Here narrow bandgap Zn–Cd–S solid solution photocatalysts (Eg = 2.11–2.53 eV) were prepared via a facile and green hydrothermal strategy under mild conditions. Amazingly, over the naked Zn0.5 Cd0.5 S photocatalyst, an extraordinarily high H2 production activity in Na2 S–Na2 SO3 aqueous solution is achieved up to 18.3 mmol h −1 g −1 with an apparent quantum efficiency of 73.8% per 50 mg under 420 nm light irradiation, which, to our knowledge, outperforms cocatalyst-free metal sulfide photocatalysts previously reported to date. Such super high performance arises from the enhanced visible-light-absorption capacity, suitable conduction and valence band potential together with the facilitated charge transport in Zn–Cd–S solid solutions. This work may open an avenue for the green preparation of inexpensive photocatalysts for solar H2 production. Highlights: Zn–Cd–S solid solution was fabricated by a facile and green hydrothermal strategy. An extraordinarily high quantum efficiency of 73.8% at 420 nm was achieved. No co-catalyst is needed during the photocatalytic H2 -production.