Solar-driven Pt modified hollow structured CdS photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution

Hollow CdS nanostructures have been synthesized by a two-step ionic exchange route, which consists of a first synthesis of Ag2S intermediated hollow frames derived from the reaction of S2− ions with AgCl cube-tetrapods, and a subsequent ion-exchange conversion of the obtained Ag2S to CdS hollow nanoframes. The investigation of the corresponding transformation process with scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) revealed that the obtained CdS particles preserved the framework of the original template. The solar-driven hollow structured CdS modified with 5% (w/w) of promoter of Pt nanoparticles/nanoclusters manifested a high hydrogen evolution rate of 10.07 mmol h−1 g−1, corresponding to the apparent quantum yield of 9.6% measured at a single length of 435 nm, which is due to efficient charge separation, fast transport of the photogenerated carriers, and fast photochemical reaction at the CdS/Pt/electrolyte interfaces. The present work can benefit the development of other hollow structured nano-photocatalysts with high efficiency towards new energy applications.