New Visible-Light Pt/PbS Nanoparticle Photocatalysts for the Photocatalytic Oxidation of Thiophene

PbS nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal route, and Pt was deposited onto the PbS nanoparticles via a photo-assisted deposition route. The photocatalytic performances of the PbS and Pt/PbS samples were examined for the photocatalytic oxidation of thiophene under visible light. Deposition of Pt onto the surface of PbS led to a shift in the absorption of PbS to a higher wavelength (red shift). The 0.15 wt% Pt/PbS nanoparticles had the highest photocatalytic efficiency % (100%) for the degradation of thiophene under visible light after 40 min of reaction time. The 0.15 wt% Pt/PbS nanoparticles can be used six times for the degradation of thiophene without a loss of photocatalytic activity.