Blue‐photodecomposition of hydrazine in aqueous solution for H 2 production by using CdS photocatalyst

BACKGROUND Water dosed with hydrazine was used for the generation of H 2 via a photocatalytic process using CdS nanofibers as photocatalysts under blue light irradiation sources. The optimal dose for the highest H 2 production rate was obtained. Ethanol and sulfite/sulfide ions were also tested as hole scavengers. RESULTS CdS is semiconductor capable of absorbing blue light and used as a photocatalyst in H 2 production. The H 2 evolution with low doses of hydrazine was higher in comparison with the others sacrificial electron donors ( SEDs ). The mechanism of H 2 evolution involves the participation of hydrazine and the positive holes photogenerated on CdS photocatalysts. CONCLUSION H 2 is generated from the water–hydrazine solution in an O 2 ‐free system. Hydrazine in aqueous solution is photodecomposed by the holes, whereas H + is reduced to produce H 2 by the reaction with the conduction band electrons. Hydrazine as a sacrificial electron donor is better than the other reagents. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry