Construction of layered SnS2 and g-C3N4 nanoarchitectonics towards pollution degradation and H2 generation

Abstract

Two dimensional (2D)/2D heterostructures with much interface is advantage to improve the transfer of photogenerated carriers. In this paper, SnS2 nanosheets were horizontally grown on superior thin graphic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets to construct 2D/2D heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic performance. The g-C3N4 nanosheets (CN) were obtained by a two-step thermal polymerization at 600 and 700 °C. the growth of SnS2 nanosheets was then carried out using a solvothermal synthesis. Preparation parameters including temperature, reaction time, and precursor components were tested to get optimized SnS2/g-C3N4 composite sample 8SnS2-CN. A Z-scheme mechanism was proposed for the discussion of photocatalytic process. The degradation test of Rhodamine B (Rh B) indicated that the degradation rate of Rh B using sample 8SnS2-CN was twice quick compared with g-C3N4 nanosheets, in which Rh B degradation was completed within 15 min. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of sample 8SnS2-CN was about 6 times that that of sample CN, which is 1818.75 μmol g−1 L−1. Enhanced photocatalytic performance is ascribed to SnS2 deposited to form well-developed interface which improved the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. In addition, the growth of SnS2 was also expended the photo adsorption.