Solar-Light-Driven Improved Photocatalytic Performance of Hierarchical ZnIn₂S₄ Architectures

Abstract

In the quest for developing novel narrow band gap semiconductor materials, the research in metal chalcogenides has gained a strong attraction. In the present investigation, a surfactant-free hydrothermal route has been followed to design hierarchical self-assembled flower-like ZnIn 2 S 4 structures through control over precursor concentration and hydrothermal processing parameters. Uniform hexagonal marigold flower-like ZnIn 2 S 4 architectures (∼4 μm) were formed with self-assembly of petals (thickness ∼8–12 nm) forming rose-like structures and finally forming marigold flowers in 24 h duration. The hierarchical ZnIn 2 S 4 flower structure has been used as photocatalysts for the degradation of dye and chlorinated phenols. Photodegradation demonstrates that the high surface area from the porous flower architecture (∼72 m 2 /g) with an enhanced visible light absorption giving low band gap energy (2.15 eV) is responsible for higher photocatalytic performance. Complete degradation of the organic pollutants has been observed within 90 min in the presence of natural sunlight. To understand the participating reactive species contributing to degradation, scavenger studies were performed for deducing the plausible photocatalytic degradation pathways. This study might open new insights into the design of novel hierarchical structures.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and hydrogen production by a visible light–responsive Bi2WO6/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction

“…Ternary metal sulfides have been extensively regarded as visible-light active photocatalysts owing to their relatively narrow band gaps when compared with the relevant oxide-based photocatalysts [7,8]. Among the ternary metal sulfides, ZnIn2S4the only semiconducting material with a layered structure in the AB2X4 family [9] is a promising candidate as a photocatalyst for various organic transformations [6,10], degradation of organic compounds [11,12] and water splitting for H2 evolution [13,14]. Unfortunately, a fast recombination rate of e − /h + pairs and photocorrosion restrict its photocatalytic efficiency and therefore further practical applications [15,16].…”

Synthesis of CaxCu3-xTi4O12 Perovskite Materials and House-Hold LED Light Mediated Degradation of Rhodamine Blue Dye

“…As we are shifting towards modernization, there is a rapid development of industrialization and urbanization which ultimately affects the ecosystem by discharging toxic elements and pollutants into the natural water cycle [1,2]. The treatment of wastewater is essential to maintain not only for a pollutant-free ecosystem of aquatic system, but also for a sustainable environment to the all living system [3][4][5]. As a part of waste management system, finding a sustainable approach to degrade the toxic pollutants is very urgent responsibility for both small companies and big industries.…”

One-Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of La-Doped ZnIn2S4 Microspheres with Improved Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance

“…ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS), a typical II-III 2 -VI 4 ternary chalcogenide, is endowed with the characteristics of excellent light-harvesting capacity and suitable band energy structure because of its relatively narrow band-gap and negative conductive band potential [ 7 ]. ZIS has already drawn substantial attention and readily found wide applications in the field of photocatalysis, such as pollutant photodegradation [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ], hydrogen evolution from water splitting [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], and CO 2 photoreduction [ 18 , 19 ]. Unfortunately, limited to its speedy photoinduced charge recombination and low quantum rate, the photo-reactivity of pristine ZIS is not sufficient for applications.…”