Z-scheme Mesoporous CdIn2S4 /g-C3N4 heterojunction for enlarged photocatalytic efficiency utilizing visible-light illumination

Abstract

This investigation aims to prepare Z-scheme mesoporous CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction of reinforced photocatalytic efficiency appropriating the facile route of preparation. The synthetic procedure was adjusted such that the freshly synthesized CdIn2S4 NPs were homogenously distributed on g-C3N4 nanosheets surface and the recognized nanocomposite was examined for the photocatalytic reduction of Hg2+. Attained results affirmed the successful establishment of mesoporous CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction with homogenously dispersed CdIn2S4 NPs of about 8 nm particle dimension on g-C3N4 nanosheets surface. The photocatalytic efficiency of Hg2+ reduction was broadly heightened over the established heterojunction in analogy to pure CdIn2S4 NPs and g-C3N4. The mesoporous CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction incorporating 3.0 wt% CdIn2S4 NPs was conscripted as the most efficient photocatalyst against Hg2+ reduction in analogy to the all developed photocatalysts such that it was proficient to accomplish entire reduction of Hg2+ after only 1 h from irradiation by visible light. The prepared heterojunction revealed a photocatalytic efficiency of up to 5.00 and 6.25 times correlated to those of CdIn2S4 NPs and g-C3N4, respectively. Large surface area, the structure of the Z-scheme heterojunction, great proficiency of visible light absorption, and reinforced charge separation played dominant aspects in enlarging the photocatalytic achievement of Hg2+ reduction. The prepared heterojunction displayed a superior ability to be reused more than once while retaining its great photocatalytic achievement towards redox reaction. This investigation presents an easy and effective way to get rid of one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants through the manipulation of the Z-scheme photocatalyst under visible light.