CdS/Regenerated Cellulose Nanocomposite Films for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Production under Visible Light Irradiation

The photocatalytic activities of CdS nanoparticles immobilized in porous regenerated cellulose (RC) films with different pore sizes were investigated. The resulting CdS/RC nanocomposite films were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The mean pore sizes of the porous RC films can be modulated from about 20 to 57 nm by adjusting the concentration of the cellulose solution, and the porous structures within RC film act as reacting sites to lead to the embedment of US nanoparticles with a mean particle diameter of about 8 nm. The photocatalytic H-2 evolution efficiencies over the obtained CdS/RC nanocomposite films were investigated by using Na2S-Na2SO3 mixed solution as a sacrificial reagent under visible-light (lambda >= 420 nm) irradiation. Experimental results indicate that the present nanocomposite films revealed obvious predominance, such as high visible-light photoactivity for H-2 production, enduring photostability, and convenient regeneration in comparison with CdS nanoparticles suspension system. This new pathway for the fabrication of portable visible-light-driven photocatalyst is important for the H-2 production via "green" processes.