Photocatalytic efficiency analysis of CdS nanoparticles with modified electronic states

For the photooxidative reaction of olefin, colloidal CdS nanoparticles (NPs) show enhanced efficiency of photocatalytic activity compared to bulk CdS. We find that the enhanced activity is due to the enlarged surface area of the colloidal CdS NPs as well as enhanced energetic coupling between the colloidal CdS NPs and the olefin molecules. Photocatalytic activity is reduced in the case that CdS NPs are encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanopores.