Facile synthesis of S-scheme NiS@ZrO2 nano-heterostructure for superior degradation of antibiotic under visible light irradiation

Abstract

In this study, fabrication of S-scheme NiS@ZrO2 heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully prepared using facile impregnation method. According to comprehensive characterizations, we demonstrated that the NiS are immobilized on the surface of porous ZrO2 photocatalyst. The obtained NiS@ZrO2 heterojunction photocatalyst has high surface area, broad visible light absorption besides it enhanced the separation of charge carriers. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared NiS@ZrO2 nanocomposites was tested for photocatalytic decomposition of ciprofloxacin (CIP). The results displayed that the photodegradation rate of the synthesized photocatalyst enhanced via increasing the amount of NiS on the surface of ZrO2, in which, the 2% NiS@ZrO2 is higher two times than 0.5% NiS@ZrO2 and three time than bare ZrO2. Compared to other materials, the 2% NiS@ZrO2 nanocomposites showed high photocatalytic efficacy may be attributed to factors including the production of high .OH species, high surface area, or quick CIP diffusion toward the active sites of the formed nanocomposites.