Nano-CdS by polymer-inorganic solid-state reaction: Visible light pristine photocatalyst for hydrogen generation

Abstract We have explored the possibility of using environmentally stable nano-CdS embedded in thermally stable polymer matrix as an efficient photocatalyst for the hydrogen generation by photodecomposition of hydrogen sulphide under visible light irradiation. Initially, we restricted our attempt to the usage of nano-CdS synthesized by novel polymer-inorganic solid-state reaction between cadmium iodide and polyphenylene sulphide (PPS). The structural study revealed the formation of nanocrystallites of CdS with the particle size ranging from 6 to 28 nm entrapped in modified (cyclized) PPS matrix. A quantum yield of 19.7% for the H 2 generation was accomplished with CdS–PPS nanocomposite in pristine state, which appears to be superior in comparison to that of the conventional Pt loaded CdS. We believe that this straightforward approach can be extended to synthesise other nano-metal sulphides in polymer network for photocatalytic and allied applications.