From Nanorods to Nanowires of CdS Synthesized by a Solvothermal Method: Influence of the Morphology on the Photoactivity for Hydrogen Evolution from Water

The effect of temperature and water/thiourea ratio on the growth, crystallinity and morphological characteristics of CdS nanostructures synthetized by a solvothermal method using ethylenediamine as solvent were studied. The temperature and water/thiourea ratio used in the synthesis determine the surface area, shape, length and degree of crystallinity of the CdS nanostructures obtained. Nanowires of high crystallinity and length were obtained when the solvothermal synthesis was performed at 190 °C, while nanorods with lower length and crystallinity were obtained as the solvothermal temperature decreased to 120 °C. The change in the water/thiourea ratio affects the crystallinity and length of the CdS nanostructures to a lesser extent than temperature. Nevertheless an increase in the water/thiourea ratio used during the solvothermal synthesis resulted in CdS nanorods with higher crystallinity, lower aspect ratio and lower specific surface area. Textural, structural and surface properties of the prepared CdS nanostructures were determined and related to the activity results in the production of hydrogen from aqueous solutions containing SO32− + S2− under visible light.