Sonochemical synthesis of Cd1-xZnxS solid solutions for application in photocatalytic reforming of glycerol to produce hydrogen

A simple sonochemical method for the preparation of Cd1-xZnxS solid solutions was successfully applied. The sonochemical method has shown to be fast, with low energy demand and allowed to obtain nano-sized particles. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, EDX, SEM and DRS UV/vis. The Pt-loaded photocatalysts were evaluated in photoinduced reforming of glycerol under visible light irradiation (lambda > 418 nm). Pure CdS and solid solutions obtained by sonochemical method have shown photocatalytic activity with respect to hydrogen gas production. The maximum hydrogen evolution rate achieved was 239 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), when the solid solution Cd0.6Zn0.4S contaminated with gamma- Zn(OH)(2) was irradiated with visible light. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.