Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Water over CdS Nanoparticles Confined Within an Alumina Matrix

Abstract

In this work, CdS nanoparticles embedded in an alumina matrix were successfully synthesized using layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as the precursor and template, denoted as CdSLDH. The as‐prepared CdSLDH were characterized by XRD, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, TEM, HRTEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence and time‐resolved fluorescence spectra. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate over CdSLDH is much higher than its counterpart without the alumina matrix, that is, almost two times higher under the same conditions. The enhanced hydrogen generation performance can be attributed to the segregation and growth‐inhibiting effects of the alumina matrix. In addition, CdSLDH also displays strong fluorescence properties and a long lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers.

Effects of Ag Incorporation on the Band Structures and Conductivity Types of (Cu1‐xAgx)2ZnSnS4 Solid Solutions

“…For the CZTS (x=0.0), the peaks of Cu 2p are split into 932.5 eV (2p 3/2 ) and 952.4 eV (2p 1/2 ) with a split orbit of 19.9 eV, which is in good accordance with the value of Cu(I); besides, the Cu 2p spectrum contains two weaker shake‐up satellite peaks at 935.4 eV and 955.1 eV; the peaks of Zn 2p that appeared at binding energies of 1022.2 eV (2p 3/2 ) and 1045.4 eV (2p 1/2 ) with a peak splitting of 23.2 eV can be assigned to Zn(II); the peaks of Sn 3d are split into 486.5 eV (3d 5/2 ) and 494.9 eV (3d 3/2 ) with a split orbit of 8.4 eV, which is in good accordance with the value of Sn(IV); the peaks of S 2p are split into 161.7 eV (2p 3/2 ) and 162.9 eV (2p 1/2 ) in sulfide phases (Figure S8) ,,. For the AZTS (x=1.0), the peaks of Ag 2p are split into 367.6 eV (3d 5/2 ) and 373.6 eV (2d 3/2 ) with a split orbit of 6.0 eV, which is in good accordance with the value of Ag(I); the peaks of Zn 2p appearing at binding energies of 1022.9 eV (2p 3/2 ) and 1046.2 eV (2p 1/2 ) with a peak splitting of 23.3 eV can be assigned to Zn(II); the peaks of Sn 3d are split into 486.8 eV (3d 5/2 ) and 495.3 eV (3d 3/2 ) with a split orbit of 8.5 eV, which is in good accordance with the value of Sn(IV); the peaks of S 2p are split into 161.5 eV (2p 3/2 ) and 162.7 eV(2p 1/2 ) in sulfide phases (Figure S8) ,…”

Janus Ga2SSe nanotubes as efficient photocatalyst for overall water splitting

“…However, due to its zero-band gap, its application in photocatalytic water splitting is limited. So far, many semiconductor materials have been extensively studied as photocatalysts for further water splitting, such as BiOCI [13,14], g-C 3 N 4 [15], CdS [16,17], and ZnO [18]. Unfortunately, some photocatalysts are unable to decompose water into H 2 and O 2 without sacrificial reagents, such as WO 3 [19], AgNbO 3 [20,21], and TaON [22].…”

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic hydrogen production over poly(dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide)-based heterostructures decorated by Earth-abundant layered double hydroxides

“…36–43 LDHs have been widely explored as electrocatalysts due to their extraordinary activity. 44–52 Liu et al demonstrated that the interlayer anions of NiFeLDH could influence electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. 53–55 Other studies have also shown that modifying the interlayer anions is a practical approach for boosting the catalytic activity of LDHs.…”