Photocatalytic hydrogen generation using glucose as electron donor over Pt/Cd x Zn1−x S solid solutions

Abstract

Cd x Zn1−x S solid solution photocatalysts were prepared by a hydrothermal process. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements. Using glucose as an electron donor, photocatalytic hydrogen generation over Pt/Cd x Zn1−x S was investigated. The results show that glucose not only improves the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen generation but prevents photocorrosion of Cd x Zn1−x S. Glucose was degraded effectively with the hydrogen generation. The factors which affect photocatalytic hydrogen generation, such as composition and structure of Cd x Zn1−x S solid solutions, irradiation time, initial concentration of the glucose, and concentration of NaOH were studied.