Construction of WSe2/In2S3 heterojunction for boosted photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light

Abstract BACKGROUND The construction of a heterojunction is an effective strategy to enhance the activity of a photocatalyst. RESULTS WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 photocatalysts with favorable photostability and reusability were prepared via a hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological features of WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Photocatalytic performance of WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 was tested by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light. The optimal degradation rate of MB by WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 reached 92% within 120 min. After eight regeneration cycles, the degradation of WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 still reached 70% and exhibited good photocatalytic stability. CONCLUSION The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the formation of heterostructure of WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 , which could effectively separate the photogenerated e − –h + pairs. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic degradation intermediates of MB by WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 heterostructure was investigated by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results show that the obtained WSe 2 /In 2 S 3 photocatalyst has a promising practical application. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).