Combining crystal planes and heterojunctions of ZnS/SnS2 boosts photocatalytic performance

A reasonable construction of hybrid heterogeneous photocatalysts possessing fast charge separation and transfer and visible light utilization ability is of great significance for enhancing and achieving highly efficient photochemical conversion. In this study, a series of ZnS/SnS2 heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared by a morphology-controlled strategy, and the regulation of ZnS/SnS2 heterostructure was realized for the photodegradation of methyl violet (MV) under visible light. The results show that as-prepared ZnS/SnS2 consists of hybrid morphological microparticles and exhibits a nanoparticle/nanosheet interspersed structure. The multi-touch interface of the constructed heterostructures can significantly shorten the carrier transport path and greatly promote the charge separation and transfer under the action of the local electric field at the semiconductor/semiconductor interface. Exposed dual-crystal planes of SnS2 coupled with ZnS enrich the active sites and enhance the performance of pure SnS2 and ZnS material. The degradation rate of MV over the optimal heterojunction material (ZnS/SnS2-50) exceeds 91.4% within 90 min under visible light irradiation, which is about 62 times that of MV compared with pristine ZnS.