Photoactivity of CdS particles grown in Pt-loaded zeolite y

An integrated photocatalyst was prepared and its photoelectrocatalytic beha vior for solar energy conversion was investigated. To make an integrated ph otocatalyst for hydrogen evolution, Pt and CdS clusters were embedded in ze olite as a cocatalyst and a photocatalyst, respectively. Pt particles were embedded in zeolite Y by ion exchange reaction with Pt (NH3)(4)(2+) and act ivation and reduction processes were followed. CdS clusters in zeolite Y ca ges were prepared by ion exchange: reaction with Cd2+ and sulfurization wit h Na2S in aqueous solution was followed. The existence of CdS clusters in t he cavities of zeolite Y was detected by IR spectra. UV absorption edges of the samples prepared show blue shifts about 0.03-0.12 eV from the edge of bulk CdS, which is an indication of CdS clusters formed in zeolite Y. The p ore structure of samples was analyzed by BET and Langmuir method. The solar energy conversion into hydrogen was investigated, where sodium tartrate so lution was used as a hole scavenger. We could observe that 1 wt% Pt support ed sample was the most effective photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution (62 m u L/mg after 4 hour reaction).