MgAl-layered double hydroxides decorated with Pd-doped SnS nanoparticles: A novel photocatalyst for efficient dye degradation and Cr(VI) reduction in water

Abstract

In this study, Pd-SnS nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with layered-double-hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets were found to display an enhanced photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of aqueous rhodamine B (RhB, dye) and chromium VI (Cr(VI)), which was superior to that of pure SnS, LDH, and binary composites. The morphological and structural properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized through various techniques including XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and BET surface areas, and their RhB and Cr(VI) degradation activity were evaluated under visible light irradiation. The Pd-SnS/LDH heterojunctions extended the lifetime of the photo-induced electrons and promoted the efficient interfacial transfer of charge carriers. Moreover, the strong interactions between Pd-SnS NPs and LDHs nanosheets further improved the photocatalytic activity. In particular, Pd-SnS/LDH heterojunctions with SnS and Pd contents of 15 and 1 wt%, which showed the highest degradation performance of 99 % within 40 min under illumination, and superior stability during successive experimental progress. We believe that this study provides novel mechanistic insights into the design and preparation of highly efficient photocatalysts with applications in energy conversion and environmental remediation.