New photocatalysts based on cadmium and zinc sulfides for hydrogen evolution from aqueous Na2S-Na2SO3 solutions under irradiation with visible light

Abstract

Noble metal-free, Cd1 − x Zn x S-based photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions of sodium sulfide and sodium sulfite upon irradiation with visible light (λ > 420 nm) have been synthesized and characterized by a complex of physicochemical methods. The effects of pH and catalyst and substrate concentrations on the rate of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution have been investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the quantum efficiency of the process is up to 12.9%.