Structural and photocatalytic properties of Cd1-xZnxS nanocrystals via organic solution method

Uniform CdxZn1−xS nanocrystals with size between 4nm and 9nm were fabricated by an organic chemical method. The structural, morphology as well as optical properties of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM, and UV–Vis absorbance techniques. The XRD patterns of CdxZn1−xS nanocrystals indicated that the solid solution possesses cubic zinc-blende structure. By tuning the composition of Zn ions in the alloy, the band gap of CdxZn1−xS can be modulated from 2.10eV to 3.17eV. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was investigated under visible-light (λ≥420nm) irradiation with Na2S/Na2SO3 as the electron donor. It is found that Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanocrystals have the highest photoactivity with a H2 evolution rate of 1.52mmol/h⋅g. The CdxZn1−xS nanoparticles exhibit stable activity in a cycled hydrogen evolution experiment.