Preparation of 1D cubic Cd0.8Zn0.2S solid-solution nanowires using levelling effect of TGA and improved photocatalytic H2-production activity

The one-dimensional (1D) cubic Cd0.8Zn0.2S solid-solution nanowires are first prepared by the “levelling effect” of thioglycolic acid (TGA) in a solvothermal process. It exhibits the enhanced transfer and separation efficiency of carriers to improve the photocatalytic H2-production activity. TGA not only serves as the sulphur source but also plays a template medium agent role. Furthermore, no TGA selectivity for diverse solvents to prepare 1D Cd0.8Zn0.2S solid solutions suggests that it also may be extended to the preparation of other 1D metal sulphide solid solutions in diverse solvents.