TiO2 nanotubes incorporated with CdS for photocatalytic hydrogen production from splitting water under visible light irradiation

The CdS/TiO2 composites were synthesized using titanate nanotubes (TiO2NTs) with different pore diameters as the precursor by simple ion change and followed by sulfurization process at a moderate temperature. Some of results obtained from XRD, TEM, BET, UV–vis and PL analysis confirmed that cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (CdSNPs) incorporated into the titanium dioxide nanotubes. The photocatalytic production of H2 was remarkably enhanced when CdS nanoparticles was incorporated into TiO2NTs. The apparent quantum yield for hydrogen production reached about 43.4% under visible light around λ = 420 nm. The high activity might be attributed to the following reasons: (1) the quantum size effect and homogeneous distribution of CdSNPs; (2) the synergetic effects between CdS particles and TiO2NTs, viz., the potential gradient at the interface between CdSNPs and TiO2NTs.