Hyun Sung Kim1,2,Hangil Lee3
Pukyong National University1,Core Research Institute2,Sookmyung Women’s University3
Hyun Sung Kim1,2,Hangil Lee3
Pukyong National University1,Core Research Institute2,Sookmyung Women’s University3
In this study, visible light absorbing CdS nanoparticles were partially modified with Au<sub>2</sub>S and Ag<sub>2</sub>S via a simple cation exchange process to prepare heterostructure photocatalysts (Au<sub>2</sub>S@CdS and Ag<sub>2</sub>S@CdS) for the conversion of aromatic alcohols to valued-added products, such as benzaldehyde and C-C coupling products. When Au<sub>2</sub>S@CdS was used as the photocatalyst, benzaldehyde was obtained as the main product with a selectivity of 99%, and when Ag<sub>2</sub>S@CdS was used as the photocatalyst, deoxybenzoin and hydrobenzoin were obtained as the main products with a selectivity of 95%. The critical photogenerated electron and hole transfer occurring during the photocatalytic reaction was systemically investigated by carrying out various control experiments and using in-situ high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature it provides a feasible approach for the formation of complex heterostructures via a simple ion exchange process. Further, we believe that this study provides a novel strategy for the preparation of catalyst complexes for the conversion of aromatic alcohols into value-added compounds.