Synthesis and peferentially loading of nickel nanoparticle on CdS surface and its photocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution under visible light

Journal Article · Mon Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2014.05.016· OSTI ID:22420563

Li, Xiying; Wang, Hui; Chu, Tingting ^[1]; Li, Danzhen ^[2]; Mao, Liqun ^[1]

---

1. Laboratory of Fine Chemistry and Industry, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004 (China)
2. National Engineering Center of Environmental Photocatalysis, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002 (China)

Graphical abstract: Ni nanoparticles were prepared via chemical reduction of aqueous NiCl{sub 2} by borohydride reducing agent in the presence of polyvinlylpyrolidone as a modifier to prevent fast growth of Ni crystals and their aggregation, and then preferentially deposited on (1 0 0), (0 0 2), and (1 0 1) crystal planes of CdS by photo-induced electrons while water splitting reaction occurred simultaneously. Resultant nickel nanoparticles have a size of about 3 nm, and contributes to decreasing the photoluminescence peak intensity of CdS, which means that nickel functions as the trapper of photo-generated electrons thereby quenching the photoluminescence of CdS. Therefore, nano-Ni/CdS photocatalyst with a Ni loading of 2.5% possesses the best visible-light catalytic activity for water splitting-hydrogen evolution and provides a hydrogen production rate of up to 9050 μmol h{sup −1} g{sup −1}, while it exhibits stabilized activity towards H{sub 2} evolution as well. - Highlights: • Ni nanoparticles are prepared by chemical reduction and then loaded on CdS surface by photo-reduction. • Non-noble metal Ni nanoparticles (size: about 3 nm) act as co-catalyst for photocatalytic H{sub 2} evolution. • Nano-Ni/CdS exhibits high activity (9050 μmol h{sup −1} g{sup −1}) and perfect stability. - Abstract: Ni nanoparticles were prepared via chemical reduction of NiCl{sub 2} by NaBH{sub 4} in the presence of polyvinlylpyrolidone (PVP), and loaded on the surface of CdS by photo-induced electrons while water splitting reaction occurred simultaneously. Resultant Ni/CdS was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible light diffuse reflectance spectrometry, and photoluminescence spectrometry. It was found that as-prepared Ni nanoparticles are about 3 nm, and preferentially deposited on (1 0 0), (0 0 2), and (1 0 1) crystal planes of CdS. Meanwhile, loading nickel decreases the photoluminescence intensity of CdS, which means nickel functions as the trapper of photo-generated electrons. Therefore, nano-Ni/CdS photocatalyst with a Ni loading of 2.5% possesses the best visible-light catalytic activity for water splitting-hydrogen evolution and provides a hydrogen production rate of up to 9050 μmol h{sup −1} g{sup −1}, while it exhibits stabilized activity towards H{sub 2} evolution as well.

• OSTI ID: 22420563
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 57; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CADMIUM SULFIDES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
ELECTRONS
EPITAXY
HYDROGEN
INTERSTITIAL HYDROGEN GENERATION
NANOPARTICLES
NANOSTRUCTURES
NICKEL
NICKEL CHLORIDES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
PVP
REDUCTION
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
VISIBLE RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY