High performance H2O2 production achieved by sulfur-doped carbon on CdS photocatalyst via inhibiting reverse H2O2 decomposition

Solar production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from oxygen gas and water using photocatalysts is a safe, cost-effective, and eco-friendly method. However, the development of efficient photocatalysts has been impeded by their high decomposition rate of photogenerated H(2)O(2 )on the surface of photocatalysts. Here we report CdS/sulfur-doped carbon nanocomposites prepared by adopting a Cd- and S-containing metal-organic framework as a precursor. The intimate contact between the two components provoked their synergetic effect for much better H2O2 production performance than that of commercial CdS, where the hydrophobic sulfur-doped carbon prevent the approach of H2O2 and suppress its decomposition. Resultingly, it recorded H2O2 concentration of 17.1 mM under visible light irradiation in KOH solution with 2-propanol as a hole scavenger, which is the highest value among all the reported photocatalysis systems. This value is sufficiently high to be directly utilized in area of bleaching and acidic waste treatments.

Automated summary

CdS/sulfur-doped carbon nanocomposites exhibit superior performance in hydrogen peroxide production, making them a promising photocatalyst for applications in bleaching and acidic waste treatment.