Design and construction of SnIn4S8/Cd0.5Zn0.5S heterostructure photocatalyst for efficient Cr(VI) reduction

Abstract

The development of highly competent and economical photocatalysts for competent erasure of heavy metal pollutants in water is of momentous import but still a significant challenge. Herein, 3D/0D SnIn4S8/Cd0.5Zn0.5S heterostructure photocatalyst was resoundingly fabricated through integrating Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanoparticles on the surface of SnIn4S8 microsphere via a simple solvothermal method and applied to high efficiency photoreduction Cr(VI). The fabricated SnIn4S8/Cd0.5Zn0.5S with optimized composition ratio achieves the exceptional reduction Cr(VI) property and the photoreduction efficiency of 20 % SnIn4S8/Cd0.5Zn0.5S can reach 91.1 % within 30 min visible light illumination. The prominent photocatalytic efficiency comes from the intimate contact of heterostructure interface, which effectively expedites the separation and migration of carrier and inhibits the photocorrosion of photocatalyst. This work provides a promising photocatalyst for water environment remediation, and promotes the exploration of heterostructure photocatalyst for wastewater purification.