Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Characterization of Zn x Cd 1?x S Solid Solutions Synthetized Using a Simple Ultrasonic Radiation Method

Luis Fernando Morelos Medina, Rufino Nava, María de los Ángeles Cuán Hernández, Omar Said Yáñez Soria, Bárbara Pawelec, Rufino M. Navarro and Carlos Elías Ornelas Gutiérrez
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Luis Fernando Morelos Medina: División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), Centro Universitario, Querétaro 76000, Mexico
Rufino Nava: División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), Centro Universitario, Querétaro 76000, Mexico
María de los Ángeles Cuán Hernández: División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), Centro Universitario, Querétaro 76000, Mexico
Omar Said Yáñez Soria: División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), Centro Universitario, Querétaro 76000, Mexico
Bárbara Pawelec: Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, CSIC, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
Rufino M. Navarro: Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, CSIC, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
Carlos Elías Ornelas Gutiérrez: Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C., Cimav, Av. Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Chihuahua C.P. 31109, Mexico

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: A simple ultrasonic radiation method was employed for the preparation of zinc and cadmium sulfide solid solution (Zn x Cd 1−x S; x = 0–0.25 wt.%) with the aim to investigate its efficiency for H 2 production via a visible light-driven water-splitting reaction. The catalyst characterization by X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of solid solution (Zn x Cd 1−x S) between CdS and ZnS phases. All catalysts exhibited hierarchical morphology (from SEM and TEM) formed by aggregated nanoparticles of Zn x Cd 1−x S solid solution with crystals showing mainly (111) planes of cubic CdS phase. The crystal size linearly decreased with an increase in Zn incorporation in the crystal lattice (from 4.37 nm to 3.72 nm). The Zn x Cd 1−x S photocatalysts showed a gradual increase in the H 2 evolution, with an increase in the Zn concentration up to 0.2 wt.% making the most effective Zn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S catalyst toward H 2 production. From the catalyst activity–structure correlation, it has been concluded that the twin-like CdS structure, the (111) plane and specific morphology are the main factors influencing the catalyst effectivity toward H 2 production. All those factors compensated for the negative effect of an increase in band gap energy ( E bg ) after ZnS incorporation into solid solution (from 2.21 eV to 2.34 eV). The effect of the catalyst morphology is discussed by comparing H 2 evolution over unsupported and supported Zn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S solid solutions.

Keywords: Zn x Cd 1?x S; photocatalyst; H 2 production; sonochemical coprecipitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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