One-dimensional core-shell Zn0.1Cd0.9S/Snln4S8 heterojunction for enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation

Abstract Efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers is vitally significant in the photocatalytic reaction process. In this work, a novel Zn0.1Cd0.9S/Snln4S8 (ZCS/SIS) core-shell nanorods photocatalyst was prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized samples were evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and imidacloprid (IM) under visible light irradiation. Compared with the pristine ZCS and SIS, the core-shell composites displayed dramatically improved photocatalytic activity. The apparent rate constants of RhB and IM photodegradation over ZCS/SIS are 5.07 and 16.9 time higher than that of pure ZCS, respectively. In addition, the electrochemical measurements indicate that the charge carriers separation in ZCS/SIS core-shell composites is enhanced. The reason could be the formation of the core-shell ZCS/SIS heterojunction boosting the charge carriers separation and transfer. Besides, a possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.