Preparation and photocatalytic properties of composite CdS nanoparticles-titanium dioxide particles

CdS nanoparticles surface-capped by mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) were immobilized onto TiO2 (anatase) particles. The resulting composite particles, CdS-MAA-TiO2, were then used as a photocatalyst for the generation of H-2 from 2-propanol aqueous solution, under visible light irradiation conditions (lambda > 400 nm). A remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity for H2 generation from 2-propanol aqueous solution was observed for the CdS-MAA-TiO2 (anatase) system, as compared with that for CdS-MAA; the activity being effected by transfer of the conduction band electrons, photogenerated in CdS, to the conduction band of TiO2, where H2 generation occurs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science.