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CdIn 2 S 4 Nanotubes and “Marigold” Nanostructures: A Visible‐Light Photocatalyst
Author(s) -
Kale B. B.,
Baeg J.O.,
Lee S. M.,
Chang H.,
Moon S.J.,
Lee C. W.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200500525
Subject(s) - materials science , photocatalysis , spinel , crystallinity , visible spectrum , nanostructure , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , aqueous solution , hydrogen production , semiconductor , catalysis , optoelectronics , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering , metallurgy
Abstract Nanostructured photocatalysts with high activity are sought for solar production of hydrogen. Spinel semiconductors with different nanostructures and morphologies have immense importance for photocatalytic and other potential applications. Here, a chemically stable cubic spinel nanostructured CdIn 2 S 4 prepared by a facile hydrothermal method is reported as a visible‐light driven photocatalyst. A pretty, marigold‐like morphology is observed in aqueous‐mediated CdIn 2 S 4 , whereas nanotubes of good crystallinity, 25 nm in diameter, are obtained in methanol‐mediated CdIn 2 S 4 . The aqueous‐ and methanol‐mediated CdIn 2 S 4 products show excellent photocatalytic activity compared to other organic mediated samples, and this is attributed to their high degree of crystallinity. The CdIn 2 S 4 photocatalyst gives quantum yields of 16.8 % (marigold‐like morphology) and 17.1 % (nanotubes) at 500 nm, respectively, for the H 2 evolution reaction. The details of the characteristics of the photocatalyst, such as crystal and band structure, are reported. Considering the importance of hydrogen energy, CdIn 2 S 4 will be an excellent candidate as a catalyst for “photohydrogen” production under visible light. Being a nanostructured chalcogenide semiconductor, CdIn 2 S 4 will have other potential prospective applications, such as in solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, and optoelectronic devices.