Visible photoactivity and antiphotocorrosion performance of PdS–CdS photocatalysts modified by polyaniline

PdS–CdS modified by polyaniline (PANI) as a novel photocatalyst was synthesized via a sonochemical approach for the first time. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis absorption spectra, FT-IR spectra, and fluorescence spectra (PL). Under visible light, the photocatalysts showed excellent photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution in the absence of noble metal Pt and the antiphotocorrosion performance of the composite photocatalyst was also found to be significantly improved simultaneously compared to PdS–CdS without PANI modification. The highest rate for H2 evolution was 3.32 mmol/h with the concentration of 1 wt.%PANI and 1 wt.%PdS.

► In this study we modified PdS–CdS photocatalysts with polyaniline. ► We found that the as-prepared photocatalysts were both efficient and stable for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light. ► We concluded that PANI was very ideal to be used to modify sulphide photocatalysts.