Visible light-driven photocatalytic H{sub 2}-generation activity of CuS/ZnS composite particles

Journal Article · Wed Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2015.01.008· OSTI ID:22475743

Xiao, Liang; Chen, Hua; Huang, Jianhua

Highlights: • Preparation of CuS/ZnS composite photocatalyst by cation-exchange reaction. • Visible light photocatalytic activity for H{sub 2} evolution without cocatalyst. • The H{sub 2}-evolution rate from water splitting depends on the CuS content. • The highest rate of H{sub 2} evolution is obtained with CuS (0.5 mol%)/ZnS composite. - Abstract: CuS/ZnS composite particles with diameter of 200–400 nm were successfully prepared by a simple cation-exchange reaction using ZnS spheres as a precursor. CuS nanoparticles with a few nanometers in diameter were observed on the surface of composite particles. The synthesized CuS/ZnS composite particles showed photocatalytic property effective for H{sub 2} evolution from an aqueous Na{sub 2}S and Na{sub 2}SO{sub 3} solution under visible light irradiation without any cocatalysts. The rate of H{sub 2} generation was found to be strongly dependent on the CuS content. The highest rate of H{sub 2} evolution reached 695.7 μmol h{sup −1} g{sup −1}, which was almost 7 times as high as that of the mechanical mixture of CuS and ZnS. The enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of CuS/ZnS composite particles is supposed to be due to the direct interfacial charge transfer of the CuS/ZnS heterojunction.

• OSTI ID: 22475743
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Vol. 64; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COPPER SULFIDES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
HETEROJUNCTIONS
ION EXCHANGE
IRRADIATION
NANOPARTICLES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
SODIUM SULFIDES
SURFACES
VISIBLE RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
ZINC SULFIDES