Construction of three-dimensional MgIn2S4 nanoflowers/two-dimensional oxygen-doped g-C3N4 nanosheets direct Z-scheme heterojunctions for efficient Cr(VI) reduction: Insight into the role of superoxide radicals

Environmental crisis aroused from carcinogenic and mutagenic heavy metal Cr(VI)-containing wastewater has attracted great attention. Herein, a direct Z-scheme three-dimensional MgIn2S4 nanoflowers/two-dimensional oxygen-doped g-C3N4 nanosheets heterostructured composite photocatalysts were fabricated for Cr(VI) photoreduction. The crystalline structure, morphology, specific surface areas, chemical components, optical properties, as well as photoelectrochemical performance of the fabricated photocatalyst were systematically studied. All the hybrids photocatalysts exhibited superior Cr(VI) photoreduction performance than a single component. The optimal sample showed 2.0 and 343.7 times increasing than three-dimensional MgIn2S4 nanoflowers and twodimensional oxygen-doped g-C3N4 nanosheets, respectively. The enhancement of the Cr(VI) photoreduction performance could be ascribed to the enhanced specific surface areas, the improved light absorption, and the Zscheme charge carriers' separation and migration pathway. Moreover, the role of superoxide radicals was investigated. It is speculated that this research would present a new sight toward photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction.

Automated summary

A new type of hybrid photocatalyst with a three-dimensional/two-dimensional heterostructure was fabricated to treat Cr(VI) wastewater via photoreduction, exhibiting excellent performance. The key factors contributing to the enhanced performance are the increased specific surface areas, improved light absorption, and Z-scheme charge carriers' separation and migration pathway.