Synthesis and Performance Analysis of Photocatalytic Activity of ZnIn₂S₄ Microspheres Synthesized Using a Low-Temperature Method

Abstract

In this paper, we report the synthesis of zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn 2 S 4 ) microspheres synthesized via a low-temperature route, and the as-synthesized material was used for photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (MG), methyl orange (MO), and Direct Red 80 (DR-80) dyes. The as-synthesized material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy for studying the crystal structure and surface morphology, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to determine the functional groups attached. UV–Visible absorption spectrometry was done for light absorbance and band gap analysis, and Mott–Schottky analysis was performed to determine the nature and flat band potential of the material. A scavenger study was performed to analyze the active species taking part in the degradation process. The reusability of the material was tested up to four cycles to check the reduction in efficiency after each cycle. A time-correlated single-photon counting study was performed to observe the average lifetime of generated excitons during photocatalysis. It was found that the as-synthesized porous sample is more efficient in degrading the cationic dye than anionic dyes, which is further explained in the article.

Enhancing Photocatalytic Efficiency of Spent Tea Leaf Powder on ZnIn2S4 Incorporation: Role of Surface Charge on Dye Degradation

“…The second-order process is the chemisorption process which involves the formation of relatively strong bonds with the surfaces. 36 In contrast, the second order kinetics model fitted well into the adsorption process for both anionic and cationic dyes. This is also confirmed by the high value of the correlation coefficient (R 2 ), in the case of the second order kinetics model for both CR, CV, and MB dye, respectively.…”

“…In this method, first, 500 mg of STL powder was dissolved in 50 mL of DI water. ZIS was synthesized using the synthesis route adopted in our previous study . Zinc sulfate (4 mmol), indium sulfate (4 mmol), and thioacetamide (20 mmol) were dissolved in 80 mL of DI water and stirred for 10 min.…”

“…Ternary metal sulfides, for example, ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) have become a hotspot in the field of photocatalysis due to their strong resistance to photochemical corrosion and high photocatalytic efficiencies. Hexagonal ZIS has emerged as one of the leading photocatalyst, exhibiting high photocatalytic efficiency in various types of wastewaters. − In this study, the STL/ZIS composite was synthesized using a novel, cost-effective, aqueous chemical solution method at ambient temperature and pressures. We investigated comparative degradation of cationic and anionic dyes using STL/ZIS composite (with 0, 10, 20, and 30% ZIS incorporation).…”

In Situ Grown Heterostructure Based on MOF-Derived Carbon Containing n-Type Zn–In–S and Dry-Oxidative p-Type CuO as Pseudocapacitive Electrode Materials

“…Cu-based grids, foils, and wires have been used as ideal current collectors as they can be dry-oxidized into CuO nanowires and can serve as a conductive scaffold to support the growth of MOFs with high porosity, larger surface area, and better adhesion . In addition, CuO is a p -type semiconductor, and as a scaffold, CuO nanowires can promote p – n heterojunctions together with n -type active materials, , such as zinc indium sulfide . Such unique heterojunctions are reported to facilitate enhanced electron transfer beneficial for improving the electrochemical performance of electrodes by inducing an inherent electric field at the heterointerface. − …”

“…37 In addition, CuO is a p-type semiconductor, 38 and as a scaffold, CuO nanowires can promote p−n heterojunctions together with n-type active materials, 34,37 such as zinc indium sulfide. 39 Such unique heterojunctions are reported to facilitate enhanced electron transfer beneficial for improving the electrochemical performance of electrodes by inducing an inherent electric field at the heterointerface. 40−42 In this study, we utilized MOFs as precursors for a metal sulfide-based electrode material.…”