Hydrothermal synthesis of In2S3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was hybridized by In2S3 to form a novel In2S3/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst via a hydrothermal method. TEM and HRTEM results reveal that In2S3 nanoparticles and g-C3N4 closely contact with each other to form an intimate interface. The as-obtained In2S3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than those of pure g-C3N4 and In2S3 for the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of In2S3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions could be attributed to its wide absorption in the visible region and efficient electron-hole separation. On the basis of radical scavenger experiments, superoxide radicals and holes are suggested to play a critical role in RhB degradation over In2S3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.