Enhanced photocatalytic activity and hydrogen evolution of CdS nanoparticles through Er doping

Generation of hydrogen fuel via the photocatalytic water splitting mechanism using semiconductor nanoparticles under sunlight irradiation is highly important. Moreover, the development of nanophotocatalysts for polluted water treatment is significant. In this regard, we synthesized CdS, CdS:Er (2 at%), and CdS:Er (4 at%) nanoparticles by a simple reflux route. According to the comprehensive structural analysis, Er3+ ions were incorporated into the CdS host lattice at the substitutional and interstitial sites, without altering the original structure. Photocatalytic measurements revealed that the degradation efficiency of 2 at% Er-doped CdS nanoparticles reached 100% within 100 min of visible light irradiation. In addition, CdS:Er (2 at%) nanoparticles exhibited enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation ability under simulated sunlight irradiation. Hence, from the obtained results, we concluded that CdS:Er (2 at%) nanoparticles are promising semiconductor photocatalytic materials for wastewater treatment as well as hydrogen fuel generation.