Z-scheme Bi2O3/Bi/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst for enhancing the removal performance of Cr(VI), 2,4-dinitrophenol and tetracycline

Construction of heterojunctions is conventionally regarded as the prevailing technique to enhance solar-driven photocatalytic water splitting and photodegradation of pollutants. Herein, we report a novel design of a ternary Bi2O3/Bi/ZnIn2S4 system, which was facilely synthesized to satisfy these stringent cri -teria for sunlight photocatalytic removal of organic and ionic pollutants and hydrogen evolution. Bi2O3/ Bi/ZnIn2S4 could degrade 2,4-dinitrophenol (94.6%), tetracycline (96.5%), and Cr6+ (96.3%) effectively under visible light and give a hydrogen production rate of 482.5 lmol & BULL;g �1 & BULL;h-1 under visible light. Based on first-principles calculations and electrochemical results, our system could be identified as a Z-scheme. Photocorrosion of the sulfide is prohibited while the catalytic capabilities are simultaneously benefited due to lowered bandgap in light harvesting, internal electric fields in charge separations, and surface plasmonic resonance enhanced electron boost. & COPY; 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/).

Automated summary

A novel ternary Bi2O3/Bi/ZnIn2S4 system was designed for efficient solar-driven photocatalytic removal of organic and ionic pollutants and hydrogen evolution. The system exhibited high degradation efficiency for 2,4-dinitrophenol, tetracycline, and Cr6+ under visible light, and achieved a hydrogen production rate of 482.5 lmol•g^-1•h^-1. The Z-scheme mechanism, facilitated by lowered bandgap, internal electric fields, and surface plasmonic resonance, contributed to the enhanced catalytic performance and inhibited photocorrosion of the sulfide.