2D/2D Z scheme heterojunction of CuInS2/g C3N4 for enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of tetracycline
Abstract Photocatalysis is one of the most promising technologies owing to its great potential to relieve energy and environmental issues. Constructing Z scheme heterojunction photocatalyst with strong redox ability to make for enhanced light absorption and efficient charge separation is extremely attractive but still underdeveloped. Herein, Z scheme heterojunction of CuInS2/g C3N4 with a "sheet on sheet" hierarchical structure showing enhanced photocatalytic performance for the tetracycline (TC) degradation under visible light irradiation has been developed. This 2D/2D hierarchical structure of CuInS2/g C3N4 composite not only enlarges the contact region in the heterojunction interface but also provides more active reaction sites, as demonstrated by the TEM and BET analyses. Particularly, 50 wt% CuInS2/g C3N4 heterojunction shows the highest photocatalytic activity (20 mg/L; 83.7% degradation within 60 min) which the apparent rate constant is 15 and 11 times higher than that of pure g C3N4 and CuInS2 nanosheets, respectively. The remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity mainly derives from the synergistic effect between CuInS2 and g C3N4, thereby promoting the charge separation during the photocatalytic reaction. This work is expected to provide a design idea to construct multifunctional 2D/2D nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications.
Separation and Purification Technology