Efficient and stable photocatalytic H2 evolution from water splitting by (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S nanorods

Well-dispersed (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S single crystal nanorods were synthesized by a facile solvothermal route. The (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S nanorods exhibit wide visible light absorption up to 550 nm. The photocurrent of the (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S photoanode is three times higher that of pure CdS, and 1710 and 3020 μmol h−1 g−1 of H2 was photocatalytically evolved from aqueous solutions containing SO32- and S2− sacrificial reagents by the (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S nanorods without and with 3 wt% Pt co-catalyst under a simulated solar light irradiation, respectively. Furthermore, the (Cd0.8Zn0.2)S nanorods show a high photocatalytic stability for H2 evolution under a long-term light irradiation.