Surface photochemistry: efficient photocatalysis by CdS supported on a solid surface

The photocatalytic efficiency of a series of CdS samples: (i) a colloidal solution in aqueous CH3CN; (ii) suspensions of (a) supported colloidal particles, (b) bulk CdS, and (c) commercial powders, was compared with respect to stilbenec-t isomerization. The samples of type (ii a), prepared from cadmium chloride and H2S showed a high photocatalytic activity, attributable to the combined effects of the catalyst particle size and the presence of chloride ions. Increased activity over the commercial sample was also shown in the conversion of hexamethyl(dewar)benzene to hexamethylbenzene, and in the cleavage of anthracene dimer. It has been found that bulk CdS is activated by grinding with < 10% of certain metal chlorides and bromides.