Formation of unique hollow ZnSnO3@ZnIn2S4 core-shell heterojunction to boost visible-light-driven photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production.

Herein, it is reported that a batch of hollow core-shell heterostructure photocatalysts were carefully fabricated using a reliable and convenient low-temperature solvothermal method, and ultra-thin ZnIn2S4 nanosheets are grown in situ on the hollow ZnSnO3 cubes to achieve efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. This unique layered hollow structure utilizes multiple light scattering/reflection within the cavity to enhance light absorption, the thin shell reduces the path of charge transfer, and the irregular nanosheets-wrapped outer layer not only enhances the adsorption power, but also provides an abundant active sites to promote the efficiency of photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen. Therefore, due to the matching energy band and unique structure, the ZnSnO3@ZnIn2S4 hollow core-shell heterostructure photocatalyst exhibits superior H2 production efficiency (16340.18 µmol h-1 g-1) and outstanding stability. This work emphasizes the importance of carefully designing a suitable material structure in addition to adjusting the chemical composition.

MoS2 nanosheets anchored on porous ZnSnO3 cubes as an efficient visible-light-driven composite photocatalyst for the degradation of tetracycline and mechanism insight.

In this study, MoS2/ZnSnO3 (MS-ZSO) composite photocatalyst with loading MS nanosheets onto the surface of porous ZSO microcubes was synthesized using a simple hydrothermal route. The prepared MS-ZSO composite can be easily excited under visible light, and 3 % MS-ZSO exhibits an outstanding photo-degradation (>80 % in 60 min) and mineralization performance (>42 % in 60 min) of the tetracycline. A remarkable improvement in the photocatalytic activity of MS-ZSO composite derived from a positive synergistic effect of well-matched energy level positions, increasement the absorption of visible light, prolonged life time decay and improved interfacial charge transfer between MS and ZSO. In-depth investigation on charge carrier separation mechanism toward MS/ZSO composite under visible light was proposed, which was further evidenced by capture experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques. Furthermore, the corresponding intermediates of tetracycline degradation over MS-ZSO composites were inspected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, and the possible degradation paths were proposed.

Construction of a 0D/1D composite based on Au nanoparticles/CuBi2O4 microrods for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity.

Photocatalysis is considered to be a promising technique for the degradation of organic pollutants. Herein, a 0D/1D composite photocatalyst consisting of Au nanoparticles (NPs) and CuBi2O4 microrods (Au/CBO) was designed and prepared by a simple thermal reduction-precipitation approach. It shows excellent photocatalytic performance in the degradation of tetracycline (TC). The maximum photocatalytic degradation rate constant for Au/CBO composites with 2.5 wt % Au NPs was 4.76 times as high as that of bare CBO microrods. Additionally, the 0D/1D Au/CBO composite also exhibited ideal stability. The significant improvement of the photocatalytic performance could be attributed to the improved light harvesting and increased specific surface area, enhancing photoresponse and providing more active sites. Our work shows a possible design of efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation.