Hierarchical CdIn2S4 microspheres wrapped by mesoporous g-C3N4 ultrathin nanosheets with enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic reduction activity

In this investigation, a series of hierarchical CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were firstly synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal strategy, wherein the mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheets were in-situ self-wrapped onto CdIn2S4 nanosheets. Systematic characterization by XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, SEM, TEM, HAAF-STEM, XPS, photoelectrochemical tests were employed to analyze the phase structure, chemical composition, morphology and photocatalytic mechanism. The application, including photo-redox reaction and photocatalytic water splitting, were used to estimate the photocatalytic activity of as obtained CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites. The results indicate that CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterostructures exhibit more efficient improvement of the photocatalytic performances towards photo-reduction of 4-NA to corresponding 4-PDA and photocatalytic H-2 generation from water splitting than these counterparts as results of construction of intimate interfacial contact, which would promote the separation of photo-generated holes and electrons. Meanwhile, benefitting from the excellent surface wrap, the CdIn2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites possess notable enhanced photocatalytic stability. This research may provide a promising way to fabricate highly efficient photo catalysts with excellent stability and expand the application of CdIn2S4 in fine chemical engineering. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.