Nb, Se-codoped ZnIn2S4/NbSe2 composites with enhanced catalytic activity and photodegradation performance towards tetracycline

Abstract

Abstract Low quantum efficiency and serious photogenerated carrier recombination have been urgent bottleneck problems for photocatalytic materials. Herein, we prepared Nb, Se-codoped ZnIn2S4/NbSe2 composites through a facile solvothermal method. The synergetic effect of codoping and cocatalyst was investigated on the photodegradation performance towards tetracycline under visible-light irradiation. By adjusting the final composition, the comprehensive characterization revealed that the optimum degradation efficiency of NS/ZIS-1.6 catalyst arrived at 75% in 70 min, which was 5.8 times higher than that of pure ZnIn2S4. Deep analysis indicated that the enhanced photocatalytic performance could be attributed to higher light absorption, more efficient electron/hole separation, faster charge transport, and lower carrier recombination. This work may offer novel viewpoint for design of high-performance catalysts towards the visible-light-driven photodegradation system.