Plasmon Ag/CuInS2/BiVO4 core-shell decahedral S-scheme heterojunction superstructures for robust photocatalytic performance

Ternary plasmon Ag/CuInS2/BiVO4 S-scheme core-shell heterostructures with decahedral morphology are synthesized by hydrothermal, solvothermal and photodeposition strategies. The combination of them increases the specific surface area and provides adequate surface-active spots for the photocatalytic reaction. Under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic degradation rate of plasmon Ag/CuInS2/BiVO4 for Bisphenol A in water is up to 98.8% and a hydrogen yield of 6.493 mmol h-1 which is several times higher than that of any pristine ones. The quantum efficiency at 420 nm light was 11.3%. Meanwhile, it also exhibits a strong inhibitory effect for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in water due to the unique broad-spectrum bactericidal effect of Ag nanoparticles and the bactericidal effect of reactive oxygen radicals. The robust photocatalytic performance can be credited to the particular S-scheme core-shell heterojunction favoring spatial charge separation, the surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles extending long wavelength light response and obvious photothermal effect. This study presents a new tactic for manufacturing efficient S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.

Automated summary

Ternary plasmon Ag/CuInS2/BiVO4 S-scheme core-shell heterostructures with decahedral morphology were synthesized using hydrothermal, solvothermal, and photodeposition strategies. The combination of these strategies increased the specific surface area and provided sufficient surface-active spots for the photocatalytic reaction. Under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic degradation rate of plasmon Ag/CuInS2/BiVO4 for Bisphenol A in water was up to 98.8%, with a hydrogen yield of 6.493 mmol h-1, several times higher than that of pristine ones. The quantum efficiency at 420 nm light was 11.3%. Meanwhile, it exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in water due to the unique broad-spectrum bactericidal effect of Ag nanoparticles and the bactericidal effect of reactive oxygen radicals. The robust photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the particular S-scheme core-shell heterojunction favoring spatial charge separation, the surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles extending long wavelength light response, and obvious photothermal effect. This study presents a new tactic for manufacturing efficient S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.