Electrospun CdS-TiO2 doped carbon nanofibers for visible-light-induced photocatalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane

CdS/TiO2 NPs-decorated carbon nanofibers were introduced as a novel photocatalyst working under visible light radiation for the effective hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane. Calcination of electrospun nanofiber mats composed of titanium tetraisopropoxide, poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), and cadmium acetate dihydrate with a few drops of ammonium sulfide in argon atmosphere at 850 degrees C led to the production of CdS-TiO2 decorated carbon nanofibers. As-synthesized nanocomposite exhibited a strong photocatalytic activity for catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia-borane. The favorable electrons-transfer properties, better dispersion, high surface area, and adsorption property are the main features of nanocomposites that exhibit high catalytic efficiency. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.