Photocatalytic water splitting in presence of suitable semiconductor catalyst attracts broad attention due to the concern on current energy crisis and environmental sustainability. In this work, we successfully synthesized pristine CdS, ZnS as well as CdS/ZnS heterostructures using simple one step hydrothermal process. The composition of the heterostructure was adjusted by controlling the Cd/Zn ratio. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. All the products obtained have a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure and Cd/Zn ratio control the final morphology of the product. Pure CdS and ZnS are found with 1D nanorod and 2D nanoplates morphology, respectively. The heterostructures are obtained with mixed morphology of nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanoplates. The absorption peak obtained by UV-Vis gradually shifts toward lower wavelength with increase of Zn amount. All these materials were utilized as visible light photocatalyst for the hydrogen production through water splitting reaction. The catalyst prepared with Cd/Zn mole ratio 2:3 shows the highest catalytic activity towards hydrogen production.

Enhance visible light photocatalytic hydrogen production of CdS/ZnS heterostructure synthesized by hydrothermal method

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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