Fabrication of the hierarchical CdS flowers assembled from flakes with (0001) facets exposed as efficient photocatalyst for H_2 production

摘要

The photocatalysts with more reactive crystal facets exposed usually exhibit enhanced photocatalytic ability. Herein, the hierarchical CdS flowers assemble from flakes with reactive (0001) facets exposed were prepared through a facile solvothermal process by employing novel WCl_6 as structure-directing agent. The enhanced crystallinity, smaller band gap and extended spectra absorption range were achieved. The formation mechanism of hierarchical CdS flowers was analysis. The optimal samples exhibited the much higher photocatalytic H_2- production activity and photostability compared with normal CdS spheres prepared without WCl6 addition. The result of photostability study employing MoS_2 and ZnS coatings indicated that the photostability of hierarchical CdS flowers was mainly affected by the degree of self corrosion.