2D SnS2 Nanostructure-Derived Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants Under Visible Light

Abstract

Wastewater produced by the textile industry contains various dyes and organic compounds that directly or indirectly affect surface water or groundwater pollution. Visible-light-driven semiconductor photocatalysis is the leading pathway for the degradation of environmental pollutants. Herein we report the bottom-up hydrothermal growth of 2D tin disulfide nanostructures (SnS2 NSs) for the efficient photodegradation of organic pollutants such as Rhodamine B (Rh.B) and Methyl Violet (M.V) in an aqueous medium under visible light (λ > 400 nm) irradiation. The as-synthesized SnS2 NSs were characterized by various structural, morphological, and optical techniques such as XRD, RAMAN, TEM, UV–Vis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, etc. Furthermore, the low bandgap (∼1.6 eV), the high surface area (56 m2/g), and the anionic nature of SnS2 NSs attribute to it as an efficient photocatalyst for photocatalytic applications. The photocatalytic properties of SnS2 NSs showed good degradation efficiency of 94 and 99.6% for Rh. B and M.V, respectively, in 25 min. The kinetic rate constant of these dyes was estimated by using the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. Here we also performed the recyclability test of the photocatalyst and discussed the plausible mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The XPS spectra of SnS2 NSs were studied before and after the photodegradation of Rh.B and M.V, indicating the high stability of the photocatalyst. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxicity was also evaluated against human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa cells) with different concentrations (0–1,000 μg/ml) of as-synthesized SnS2 NSs. This intended work provides a possible treatment for the degradation of organic pollutants under visible light to balance the aquatic ecosystems.

Engineering crystal planes and band structure of 2D tin sulfide nanosheets and investigating their photocatalytic degradation performance

“…The observed binding energies of Sn 3d and S 2p spectra are in good agreement with Sn 4+ and S 2− of SnS 2 . 40 The N 1s spectrum showed that the peak at 402.5 eV corresponds to the N -oxide of the SnS 2 -2 material (Fig. 3d).…”

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of SnS2 under visible light irradiation: strategies and future perspectives

“…Presently, the total number of publications on SnS 2 as a photocatalyst remains at less than 500, significantly lower compared with conventional photocatalysts such as TiO 2 or ZnO, and even other transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials like MoS 2 and WS 2 (based on Scopus data). As a 2D photocatalyst material, SnS 2 has found applications across various domains, including air purification, 44,55 wastewater treatment, 47,84–87 hydrogen production, 88–97 and antibacterial purposes, 41 CO 2 reduction, and 89,91,98–100 nitrogen fixation. 92,94,101…”

Functionalized WS2 Quantum Dots as Fluorescent Nanoprobes for In Vivo Bioimaging

“…The pioneering works on two-dimensional (2D) atomically thin graphene, its derivatives, and the rising graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have enlightened the path for the exploration of other promising quantum materials. ,− In the post-graphene era, few-to-monolayer, nanocrystals (NCs) or QDs of the layered transition metal dichalcogenide (LTMD) family have attracted the wide attention of the scientific community and have been conceived as the best substitute for 2D graphene and 0D GQDs owing to their excellent optoelectronic behaviors. − 2D WS 2 , one of the members of the LTMD family, has gained significant attention owing to its size-tunable band gaps and remarkable optoelectronic properties. ,− Its single layer possesses several unique properties and has been potentially exploited in the field of optoelectronics, catalysts, transistors, sensors, energy storage, theranostics, and bioimaging. − …”