Aerobic conditions enhance the photocatalytic stability of CdS/CdOx quantum dots

Abstract

Photocatalytic H2 production through water splitting represents an attractive route to generate a renewable fuel. These systems are typically limited to anaerobic conditions due to the inhibiting effects of O2. Here, we report that sacrificial H2 evolution with CdS quantum dots does not suffer from O2 inhibition and can even be stabilised under aerobic conditions. The introduction of O2 prevents a key inactivation pathway of CdS (over-accumulation of metallic Cd and particle agglomeration) and thereby affords particles with higher stability. These findings represent a route to exploit the O2 reduction reaction to inhibit deactivation, rather than catalysis, offering a strategy to stabilize photocatalysts that suffer from similar degradation reactions.

The Christian Doppler Research Association, OMV Group, EPSRC, World Premier Institute Research Center Initiative (MEXT, Japan), Marie Curie fellowship, Royal Society Newton Fellowship