Catalytic activity of Pt-promoted CdS nanocrystals covered with a polymer in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production by water splitting

Photocatalytic properties of Pt-promoted CdS nanocrystals functionalized by the polymer coating were investigated. Deposition of Pt on the surface of the nanoparticles followed by polymer functionalization provides a high photocatalytic activity (1.45 mmol h^–1 mg^–1 at 0.93 W cm^–2) and apparent quantum yield (7%, λ = 445 nm) of the particles. Dependence of the rate of H₂ evolution on Pt loading is described by a curve with the maximum, whereas the quantum yield decreases with an increase in the light flux density. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocrystals increases more than 2 times with polymer coatining.