Organic molecule embedded CdS nanocomposite for hydrogen generation from water: Effect of precursors’ concentrations

Organic molecule (Histidine) embedded cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanocomposites are prepared by the solvothermal method. CdS nanocomposite, prepared with 1:1 M ratio of S²⁻ to Cd²⁺, shows the highest crystallinity and highest hydrogen production via water splitting. Optimization of Pt deposition indicates that 5.5 wt% of Pt deposition on CdS nanocomposite produces the highest amount of H₂ gas. Moreover, the contents of histidine in CdS were changed from 0.0 to 2.5 mmol, and the result shows that CdS nanocomposite with 1 mmol of histidine has the highest rate of hydrogen production (21.35 mmol/g/h). This is one of the highest rates of hydrogen production from a single semiconductor photocatalyst system under visible light irradiation. These results indicate that organic molecules embedded CdS nanocomposites could be a promising photocatalyst for hydrogen production via water splitting.