Photocatalytic H-2 production with CdS-based catalysts from a sulphide sulphite substrate: An effort to develop MgO-supported catalysts

CdS-based photocatalysts supported on MgO and gamma-Al2O3 have been prepared, characterized and tested for dihydrogen evolution from a sulphide/sulphite substrate using a halogen lamp source. The effect of precursor salt for CdS preparation, the optimum loading of CdS on the support and the concentration of the catalyst in 50 ml of solution have been investigated. The effect of adding to CdS a semiconductor ZnS-Ag2S and catalytic materials like Pt and RuO2 have also been studied. The results obtained from the basic nature of MgO support are compared with the acidic nature of Al2O3 support. The importance of the acid-base properties of the support is substantiated by modifying the Al2O3 support with base materials like CaO/BaO. Thus, the effect of the acid-base properties of the supports is highlighted.