Effect of different nanostructures of Cu2ZnSnS4 on visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Surface-modified hydrophilic CZTS nanostructures have been successfully synthesized through hot injection method followed by bi-phase ligand exchange process. The as-synthesized CZTS nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using the XRD, FTIR, TEM, BET, and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The morphology of the NPs has an important effect on the photocatalytic activity. CZTS NPs were synthesized with two different morphologies, i.e., nanospheres and nanoflakes. The photocatalytic degradation results indicate that the CZTS nanoflakes show more effective degradation of hazardous water pollutants, i.e., 98% degradation for methylene blue and 95% for rhodamine B within 80 min under 50-W LED visible light illumination. CZTS nanoflakes yield 60% degradation of industrial textile effluent under 50-W LED illumination. CZTS nanoflakes as catalyst effectively degrades the textile effluent under direct sunlight (average power density = 67 mW/cm(2)) illumination within 80 min. Further, the photo-degradation mechanism, photostability and recyclability of the catalysts were also analyzed. The results indicate that the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals play an important role in the organic pollutant degradation process.

Automated summary

Surface-modified hydrophilic CZTS nanostructures were successfully synthesized through hot injection method followed by bi-phase ligand exchange process, with two different morphologies, nanospheres, and nanoflakes. The nanoflakes showed higher photocatalytic activity, effectively degrading harmful water pollutants.