Halloysite Nanoclay Based CdS Formulations with High Catalytic Activity in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction under Visible Light Irradiation

An efficient and an easily scalable photocatalyst with CdS nanoparticles placed on the outer surface and inside halloysite clay nanotubes with cadmium sulfide content of ca. 3 wt % was developed. The CdS/halloysite core-shell tubule nanocomposites showed a superior catalytic activity and a high stability in the release of hydrogen under visible radiation without cocatalysts or noble metal doping. The specific activity was of 20 mmol of hydrogen per hour per gram of CdS. The suggested approach opens the way to an inexpensive production of highly efficient mesoporous catalyst based on a natural, abundantly available clay support.