Preparation of 1D cubic Cd0.8Zn0.2S solid-solution nanowires using levelling effect of TGA and improved photocatalytic H2-production activity

Abstract

The one-dimensional (1D) cubic Cd_0.8Zn_0.2S solid-solution nanowires are first prepared by the “levelling effect” of thioglycolic acid (TGA) in a solvothermal process. It exhibits the enhanced transfer and separation efficiency of carriers to improve the photocatalytic H₂-production activity. TGA not only serves as the sulphur source but also plays a template medium agent role. Furthermore, no TGA selectivity for diverse solvents to prepare 1D Cd_0.8Zn_0.2S solid solutions suggests that it also may be extended to the preparation of other 1D metal sulphide solid solutions in diverse solvents.