The enhanced performance of Cr(VI) photoreduction and antibiotic removal on 2D/3D TiO2/ZnIn2S4 nanostructures

In this study, 2D/3D TiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄ nanostructures with TiO₂ sheet cluster embedded into ZnIn₂S₄ micro flowers were fabricated via hydrothermal method. The matched band structure, the enlarged surface area and the efficient photo-induced charge transfer offered by effective heterostructures formed between the two components endowed the TiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄ nanoarchitecture with excellent photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) degradation performance. Especially, the Cr(VI) photoreduction efficiency of 50% TiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄ was 8.8 times higher compared to pure ZnIn₂S₄. The enhanced separation efficiency of photo-excited charge carriers was induced by the matched band structure, the enlarged surface area and the strong interaction between TiO₂ and ZnIn₂S₄. The key roles of ·O₂^? was confirmed via trapping experiments. Otherwise, the pathway of TC degradation was investigated. The proposed mechanism during photocatalysis process was also discussed according to the photocatalytic and characterization results.