Hierarchical architectures of ZnS–In2S3 solid solution onto TiO2 nanofibers with high visible-light photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 624; pp. 44 - 52
• Main Authors: Liu, Chengbin, Meng, Deshui, Li, Yue, Wang, Longlu, Liu, Yutang, Luo, Shenglian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.03.2015
• Subjects: Hierarchical architecture; Organic dye; Photocatalysis; TiO2 nanofiber; ZnS–In2S3 solid solution; ZnS–In2S3 solid solution; Organic dye; Hierarchical architecture; Photocatalysis; TiO2 nanofiber
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.11.096

A unique hierarchical architecture of ZnS–In2S3 solid solution onto TiO2 nanofibers was fabricated. The hierarchical heterostructures exhibit high visible light photocatalytic activity and outstanding recycling performance. [Display omitted] •Novel hierarchical heterostructure of TiO2@ZnS–In2S3 solid solution.•Efficient inhibition of ZnS–In2S3 solid solution aggregation.•High visible light photocatalytic activity.•Highly stable recycling performance. A unique hierarchical architecture of ZnS–In2S3 solid solution nanostructures onto TiO2 nanofibers (TiO2@ZnS–In2S3) has been successfully fabricated by simple hydrothermal method. The ZnS–In2S3 solid solution nanostructures exhibit a diversity of morphologies: nanosheet, nanorod and nanoparticle. The porous TiO2 nanofiber templates effectively inhibit the aggregation growth of ZnS–In2S3 solid solution. The formation of ZnS–In2S3 solid solution is proved by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the intimate contact between TiO2 nanofibers and ZnS–In2S3 solid solution favors fast transfer of photogenerated electrons. The trinary TiO2@ZnS–In2S3 heterostructures exhibit high adsorption capacity and visible light photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B dye (RhB), remarkably superior to pure TiO2 nanofibers or binary structures (ZnS/TiO2 nanofibers, In2S3/TiO2 nanofibers and ZnS–In2S3 solid solution). Under visible light irradiation the RhB photocatalytic degradation rate over TiO2@ZnS–In2S3 heterostructures is about 16.7, 12.5, 6.3, 5.9, and 2.2times that over pure TiO2 nanofibers, ZnS nanoparticles, In2S3/TiO2 nanofibers, ZnS/TiO2 nanofibers, and ZnS-In2S3 solid solution, respectively. Furthermore, the TiO2@ZnS–In2S3 heterostructures show highly stable recycling performance.