L-cysteine-protected ruthenium nanoclusters on CdS as efficient and reusable photocatalysts for hydrogen production

Nanocluster-modified semiconductor-based photocatalysts have been identified as a vital area of research in the area of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water. However, the existing ligand protection strategy for synthesizing ultrasmall metal nanoclusters remains confined to a few metals, including Au, Ag, Cu, and their alloys. In this investigation, we describe a facile solution-phase reduction synthesis method for the production of Lcysteine-protected Ru nanoclusters. Our findings demonstrate that these novel Ru nanoclusters function as cocatalysts, which notably increase the photocatalytic activity and photostability of CdS photocatalysts. Moreover, the hybrid CdS photocatalyst modified with Ru nanoclusters exhibits superior activity and stability relative to photoinduced Ru nanoparticles/CdS composite photocatalysts. The simplicity of the synthesized metal nanocluster cocatalyst and its effectiveness in enhancing photocatalyst activity, while reducing the use of precious metals, present new avenues for the development of advanced photocatalysts.& COPY; 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents a facile method for synthesizing L-cysteine-protected Ru nanoclusters and demonstrates their effectiveness as co-catalysts in enhancing the photocatalytic activity and stability of CdS photocatalysts. The hybrid CdS photocatalyst modified with Ru nanoclusters shows superior performance compared to photoinduced Ru nanoparticles/CdS composite photocatalysts.