Template-free synthesis of beta-In2S3 superstructures and their photocatalytic activity

In this article, we have successfully fabricated various morphological beta-Indium sulfide (In2S3) superstructures by using indium thiocyanate complex at acidic pH. All the synthesis has been performed by a template-free, hydrothermal method at 195 degrees C for 3 h. The photocatalytic activity of synthesized In2S3 have been investigated by using UV-B (lamda = 365 nm) light with Methyl Orange dye as a model pollutant. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized by using XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, DRS spectra and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The influence of indium precursors and solvents on the morphology as well as the surface properties has also been discussed. The XRD result shows that cubic phase beta-In2S3 formed under all experimental conditions. A plausible mechanism of the In2S3 microsphere formation has been discussed based on experimental observations.