TiO_2 nanotubes incorporated with CdS for photocatalytic hydrogen production from splitting water under visible light irradiation

摘要

The CdS/TiO_2 composites were synthesized using titanate nanotubes (TiO_2NTs) with different pore diameters as the precursor by simple ion change and followed by sulfuri-zation process at a moderate temperature. Some of results obtained from XRD, TEM, BET, UV-vis and PL analysis confirmed that cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (CdSNPs) incorporated into the titanium dioxide nanotubes. The photocatalytic production of H_2 was remarkably enhanced when CdS nanoparticles was incorporated into TiO_2NTs. The apparent quantum yield for hydrogen production reached about 43.4% under visible light around λ = 420 nm. The high activity might be attributed to the following reasons: (1) the quantum size effect and homogeneous distribution of CdSNPs; (2) the synergetic effects between CdS particles and TiO_2NTs, viz., the potential gradient at the interface between CdSNPs and TiO_2NTs.