Visible light harvesting Pt/CdS/Co-doped ZnO nanorods molecular device for hydrogen generation. (30th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chouhan, Neelu; Ameta, Rakshit; Meena, Rajesh Kumar; Mandawat, Niranjan; Ghildiyal, Rahul
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 41:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 2298
• Page End: 2306
• Publication Date: 2016-01-30
• Subjects: CTAB -- Micelles -- Co-doped ZnO nanorods -- Structural disorders -- Photocatalytic water splitting; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.11.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Co-doped ZnO nanorods (Co–ZnO NRs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method using cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Their physical growth mechanism was traced in the light of FESEM and HRTEM studies. A strong correlation between their electronic structural arrangement and photocatalytic activity was established. Broad and uniform peaks were found between 525 and 700 nm in UV–Vis. diffuse reflectance spectra, which were attributed to the d–d transition of Co 2+ ion. Successful loading of the nano-sized sensitizer CdS onto the Co–ZnO NRs' surface, contributes to the band gap reduction in CdS/Co–ZnO NRs (Eg = 2.25 eV) sample. X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms the presence of the lower degree structural disorders in CdS/Co–ZnO NRs with respect to the pristine ZnO and Co–ZnO NRs. Gradual modification in pristine ZnO NRs enhances the photocatalytic activity. Hetero-assembly of 1.5% Pt/CdS/Co–ZnO NRs, exhibited excellent photocatalytic responses in terms of quantum efficiency (1.98%) and hydrogen generation capacity (67.20 mmol/H2 g) under 1 Sun (1.5AM G) light exposure. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Physical synthetic route of nanomolecular Co–ZnO NR, was traced. Co–ZnO NR was upgraded to 1.5% Pt/CdS/Co–ZnO by addition of 5.24 nm CdS and 1.5% Pt. 67.20 mmol/g photocatalytic H2 was produced with 1.98% efficiency. CdS/Co–ZnO was also utilized as photoanodic material in photoelectrochemical cell. Electron transfer mechanism for hydrogen production is proposed.