Sunlight-Driven Hydrogen Generation: Acceleration of Synergism between Cu–Ag Cocatalysts on a CdS System

• DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.3c03010
• Publication Date: 2024-02-23T20:51:19Z
• Authors: Ejaz Hussain; Abubakar Ishaq; Muhammad Zeeshan ...; M. Zaryab Waleed; Abdul Rauf; Rongchao Jin; Khezina Rafiq
• Keywords: Sunlight

The high cost and limited sources of fossil fuels led researchers to discover alternative energy. aim this work is explore stable efficient catalysts for hydrogen evolution under sunlight. From perspective, various including CdS, Ag@CdS, Cu@CdS, Cu/Ag@CdS have been designed synthesized via the hydrothermal method. To enhance surface stability activity copper silver metals were selected as cocatalysts. Cocatalyst contents in situ deposited over surfaces CdS using a chemical reduction approach. optical structural properties investigated UV–vis/diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Raman, photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), atomic force (AFM) techniques. Their compositions characteristics confirmed by energy-dispersive (EDX) photoelectron (XPS) studies. Thermal was assured thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), whereas magnetic determined paramagnetic (EPR). Photoreactions done quartz photoreactor (150 mL/Velp Scienific) generation activities monitored gas chromatographs, i.e., GC-TCD (Shimadzu-2010/Japan). results depict that with 2% Cu 1% Ag on exhibit highest (i.e., 18.93 mmol g–1 h–1 45.04% quantum efficiencies). higher attributed synergism generated between cocatalysts during photoreaction. It has predicted populations plasmon resonance (SPR) Cu/Ag Schottky junctions formed restrict charge recombination back reactions). Additionally, factors like pH, temperature, photocatalyst dosage, intensity light evaluated discussed optimize ideal conditions. study hold promise an eventual transition replace costly conventional used sustainable generation.