Synthesis of highly efficient (Cr, Gd) co-doped CdS quantum dots for photocatalytic H2 evolution beneath artificial solar light irradiation

Abstract

To meet the future energy demand, the design, and development of novel, economical with efficient hydrogen (H2) fuel production rate and more stable photocatalytic material are most crucial and necessary. Numerous sunlight-active semiconductor nanostructures have been materialized for photocatalytic reactions towards hydrogen evolution. Nevertheless, their reliable application has been restricted through less photocatalytic efficiency and less stability provoked by the recombination of charge carriers. In the direction of to minimize the recombination rate among the charge carriers and enhance photocatalytic water splitting mechanism towards hydrogen evolution Co-doping of transition and rare earth elements to the host lattice is a promising strategy in functional material engineering to minimize the recombination rate among the charge carriers and enhance the photocatalytic water splitting mechanism towards hydrogen evaluation. In this view, herein, the chemical synthesis, structural, optical, and photocatalytic characteristics of pristine CdS, CdS:Cr (1 at%), CdS: (Cr, Gd (1 at %)) and CdS: (Cr, Gd (2 at%)) quantum dots for competent photocatalytic H2 fuel evolution. Furthermore, the rate of H2 of CdS: (Cr, Gd (2 at%)) quantum dots is almost 23 times greater than that of pristine CdS quantum dots with more stability. Hence, we strongly believe that, CdS: (Cr, Gd (2 at%)) quantum dots are reliable and potential semiconductor compounds for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution for environmental purification.