A CdS-modified TiO2 nanocrystalline photoanode for efficient hydrogen generation by visible light

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) was in situ synthesized onto mesoporous TiO2 films and used as a sensitizer to fabricate a photoelectrode for hydrogen generation in visible light. The incorporation of CdS extends the optical absorption threshold of a TiO2 electrode to visible light, enhancing the visible-light-induced photocurrent. A maximum photoconversion efficiency of 3.67% was achieved for this CdS-sensitized TiO2 electrode under visible light illumination of 100 mW cm(-2). The hydrogen generation rate obtained at conditions of maximum efficiency is 95.5 mu mol cm(-2) h(-1). To the best of our knowledge, the hydrogen generation rate is the highest among those reported for a photoelectrochemical cell under the illumination of visible light.