Effect of Additions of Mixtures of Sodium Sulfite and Formic and Acetic Acid on the Photocatalytic Reduction of Water with Cadmium Sulfide Suspensions

Abstract

The photochemical reduction of water with cadmium sulfide suspensions containing mixtures of sodium sulfite and formic and acetic acid solutions has been studied by electromotive force measurements and gasometry. The sulfite ions are oxidized on the anode in the sulfite–acetate suspensions; the sulfite ions and formic acid, in the sulfite–formate solutions. Hydrogen peroxide was found among the products of the photochemical reaction; it is involved in the oxidation of the radicals of sulfite ions and molecular sulfur of CdS particles and prevents the reduction of water.