One-step hydrothermal synthesis of In2.77S4 nanosheets with efficient photocatalytic activity under visible light

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 123; no. 6; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Wu, Xiang-feng, Li, Hui, Sun, Yang, Wang, Yi-jin, Zhang, Chen-xu, Gong, Xiao-dong, Wang, Yu-duan, Liu, Yu, Yang, Xin-yue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.06.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Degradation; Dyes; Efficiency; Energy gap; Machines; Manufacturing; Nanosheets; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Potassium; Potassium dichromate; Processes; Rhodamine; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Bi2S3; SnS2; Photocatalytic Activity; Degradation Efficiency; Methyl Orange
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-017-1016-0

In 2.77 S 4 nanosheets with the band gap energy of 1.75 eV were fast prepared via a hydrothermal process. The structure, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. Rhodamine B, methyl orange and potassium dichromate solution were used to evaluate the degradation efficiency of the as-prepared samples under the visible light, respectively. Experimental results showed that the molar ratio of thioacetamide to indium nitrate hydrate significantly influenced the structure and properties of the as-prepared products. With increasing the molar ratio, the degradation efficiency of rhodamine B solution was firstly increased and then decreased. When the molar ratio was 4:1, the degradation efficiency of the as-prepared sample reached to 96% in 3 min and 100% in 9 min. Moreover, this semiconductor could degrade 88% of methyl orange solution in 30 min and 87% of potassium dichromate solution in 60 min, respectively.