Highly efficient adsorption/photodegradation of organic pollutants using Sn1−0.25xCuxS2 flower-like as a novel photocatalyst

- The catalyst was synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal method.
- High visible-light photocatalytic activity and absorption capacity were obtained.
- Photocurrent tests reveal the optimum photoelectrochemical properties of the catalyst.
- A possible visible light photocatalytic mechanism of Sn1-0.25xCuxS2 was proposed.

Hierarchical nanostructures Sn1−0.25xCuxS2 flower-like photocatalyst with high visible-light photocatalytic activity and absorption capacity was synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal method. The morphology, crystal structure, optical and photocatalytic property of the as-prepared samples were thoroughly investigated by various means. XRD results indicated that Cu ions entered into the crystal lattice of SnS2 without deteriorating the original crystal structure. The adsorbing capacity of obtained Sn1−0.25xCuxS2 photocatalyst was 7.2 times and 2.9 times higher than SnS2 for the removal of organics pollutants, respectively. Furthermore, Sn1−0.25xCuxS2 photocatalytic exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than the pure SnS2 towards the degradation of RhB and DB under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm), more than 95% DB and RhB molecules could be eliminated within 2 h. The enhanced adsorption capacity of the Sn1−0.25xCuxS2 for organic pollutants was attributed predominantly to its high specific surface areas and appropriate pore size distribution. Superior photocatalytic activity profited from the large light responded region and efficient separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs. A possible visible light photocatalytic mechanism of Sn1−0.25xCuxS2 was proposed. Therefore, the Sn1−0.25xCuxS2 flower-like photocatalyst could be a potential applications for water splitting, new fuels synthesis and environmental remediation under natural sunlight.