Solar-driven Pt modified hollow structured CdS photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Hollow CdS nanostructures have been synthesized by a two-step ionic exchange route, which consists of a first synthesis of Ag₂S intermediated hollow frames derived from the reaction of S²⁻ ions with AgCl cube-tetrapods, and a subsequent ion-exchange conversion of the obtained Ag₂S to CdS hollow nanoframes. The investigation of the corresponding transformation process with scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) revealed that the obtained CdS particles preserved the framework of the original template. The solar-driven hollow structured CdS modified with 5% (w/w) of promoter of Pt nanoparticles/nanoclusters manifested a high hydrogen evolution rate of 10.07 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, corresponding to the apparent quantum yield of 9.6% measured at a single length of 435 nm, which is due to efficient charge separation, fast transport of the photogenerated carriers, and fast photochemical reaction at the CdS/Pt/electrolyte interfaces. The present work can benefit the development of other hollow structured nano-photocatalysts with high efficiency towards new energy applications.