Hierarchical assemblies of CdxZn1-xS complex architectures and their enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities for H2-production

The shape-controlled synthesis of hierarchically micro- and nanostructured materials has opened up new opportunities to improve their properties. In this work, CdxZn1-xS complex architectures, such as microflowers and microspheres, were prepared through a facile solvothermal method, by using diethylenetriamine (DETA) and water as solvent. Within the Zn content increase from 0.2 to 0.8 in the CdxZn1-xS solid solution, the morphology transformed progressively from microflowers agglomerates to microspheres. The photocatalytic H-2 evolution over the solid solutions was further investigated through the H-2 evolution from aqueous solutions containing S2-/SO32-, and the highest H-2 evolution rate without co-catalysts even reached 1.8 mmol g(-1) h(-1). The reasons for the difference in the photocatalytic properties of these CdxZn1-xS architectures were also investigated. The morphology change of CdxZn(1-x)S solid solution leads to different BET and surface defects, finally resulting in the variation of photocatalytic activity. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.