Abstract
Abstract The photocatalytic ability of CdS/K4Nb6O17 photocatalyst for H2 evolution by visible light irradiation was studied in connection with its structure. CdS/K4Nb6O17 was prepared by cation exchange reaction of K+ to Cd2+ ions in aqueous Cd(NO3)2 solution, followed by sulfurization in aqueous Na2S solution. The catalyst obtained by this procedure showed much higher H2 evolution activity in aqueous K2SO3 solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) than a physical mixture of CdS and K4Nb6O17 powders. This result was interpreted as due to more intimate contact of CdS and K4Nb6O17 in CdS/K4Nb6O17 photocatalyst, which enabled the efficient transfer of excited electrons. The activity of the catalyst was greatly dependent on the sulfurization condition, with this optimum condition: at room temperature for one week. XRD, EXAFS, TEM, and UV-DRS showed that most CdS particles, ca. 10 nm in diameter, existed on the external surface of K4Nb6O17, while a small amount of CdS was inferred to be located at the interlayer space of K4Nb6O17 as ultra fine particles.
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