One-step hydrothermal synthesis of rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 with high visible photocatalytic activity for aqueous pollutants removal

The phase composition of photocatalyst has a substantial effect on its photocatalytic activity. In this work, the rhombohedral phase ZnIn2S4 was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method by using inexpensive Na2S as a sulfur source with the assistance of NaCl. The Na2S as the S source can promote the generation of rhombohedral ZnIn2S4, and the addition of NaCl enhances the crystallinity of the as-prepared rhombohedral ZnIn2S4. The rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 nanosheets had a narrower energy gap, more negative conductive band potential, and higher separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers relative to the hexagonal ZnIn2S4. The as-synthesized rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 exhibited high visible photocatalytic activity with removal efficiencies of 96.7% in 80 min for the methyl orange, 86.3% in 120 min for cipro-floxacin hydrochloride and nearly 100% in 40 min for Cr(VI).(c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The phase composition of the photocatalyst plays a significant role in its photocatalytic activity. In this study, rhombohedral phase ZnIn2S4 was synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method by using inexpensive Na2S as a sulfur source with the assistance of NaCl. The rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 nanosheets exhibited higher separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and showed excellent visible photocatalytic activity in the removal of methyl orange, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, and Cr(VI).