Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Water Splitting on CdS and Cd0.8Zn0.2S Nanorods: Influence of Ni(OH)2 Modification

The composite photocatalysts of Ni(OH)2 modified Cd1-xZn S (x=0, 0.2) nanorods were synthesized via a simple deposition-precipitation method using nanorods as support and Ni(NO3)(2) as nickel hydroxide precursor. The structures, morphologies and optical properties of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffi action, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron spectroscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The photoactivities of the catalysts were examined toward hydrogen production by water splitting under simulated solar irradiation. Results show that the catalyst of Ni(OH)(2)-Cd0.8Zn0.2S nanorods exhibits a significantly enhanced H-2-production activity in compared to the Ni(OH)(2)-CdS nanorods. The reason for the different effects of Ni(OH)(2) modification on the photoactivities of the two catalysts was discussed, and the possible mechanism related to the photocatalytic process was proposed.