Enhanced photocatalytic removal of tetracycline and methyl orange using Ta3N5@ZnIn2S4 nanocomposites

Abstract

The presence of toxic substances in wastewater poses a severe threat to human survival and development. In recent years, photocatalytic technology has emerged as a promising solution for the efficient removal of harmful pharmaceutical pollutants and organic dyes. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a novel Ta3N5@ZnIn2S4 (TN@ZIS) nanocomposite, which exhibits remarkable photocatalytic performance in degrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) and methyl orange (MO) under LED irradiation. The TN@ZIS nanocomposite was synthesized using a simple route involving flux-assisted nitridation and in-situ hydrothermal treatment processes. The resulting structure consists of layered ZnIn2S4 nanosheets firmly anchored onto the surface of Ta3N5 nanorods, as confirmed by SEM and TEM analysis. XPS tests revealed a strong interfacial interaction within the nanocomposite, which is advantageous for the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Notably, the TN@ZIS hybrids demonstrated a significant improvement in photocatalytic activity compared to bare Ta3N5 nanorods. During the entire photocatalytic degradation process (60 min and 100 min), TC and MO achieved degradation efficiencies of approximately 72.3 % and 81.2 %, respectively. These results highlight the competitive nature of TN@ZIS among Ta3N5-based materials. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be primarily attributed to the synergistic effect of improved separation of photogenerated charge carriers and the increased active sites provided by the TN@ZIS nanocomposite. This study contributes to the development of efficient and stable photocatalysts for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants and organic dyes from wastewater, thereby addressing the urgent need for effective water treatment technologies.