Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Water Splitting on CdS and Cd_(0.8)Zn_(0.2)S Nanorods: Influence of Ni(OH)_2 Modification

摘要

The composite photocatalysts of Ni(OH)_2 modified Cd_(1-x)Zn_xS (x=0, 0.2) nanorods were synthesized via a simple deposition-precipitation method using nanorods as support and Ni(NO_3)_2 as nickel hydroxide precursor. The structures, morphologies and optical properties of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron spectroscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The photoactivities of the catalysts were examined toward hydrogen production by water splitting under simulated solar irradiation. Results show that the catalyst of Ni(OH)_2-Cd_(0.8)Zn_(0.2)S nanorods exhibits a significantly enhanced H_2-production activity in compared to the Ni(OH)_2-CdS nanorods. The reason for the different effects of Ni(OH)_2 modification on the photoactivities of the two catalysts was discussed, and the possible mechanism related to the photocatalytic process was proposed.