Photocatalytic/electrochemical studies on Cadmium stannates for water decomposition and pollution abatement

Ternary oxides of Cd and Sn, both having completely filled d-orbitals were studied as photocatalyst for water decomposition and pollution abatement. The positions of their bands were determined using Mott-Schottky plots in order to find out their ability to photocatalytically split water to produce H2. In addition, their suitability as photocatalysts for degradation of p-chlorophenol was also studied under UV-Visible and visible (l > 420 nm) light irradiation. On the basis of the orbitals contributing to their VB and CB, cadmium stannates were chosen as the photocatalysts. The studies demonstrated photocatalytic activity for p-chlorophenol degradation, while water decomposition still remains a dream though governing principles can be postulated.