Polyaniline modified SnS2 as a novel efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst

Polyaniline (PANI) was adopted to modify SnS2 to develop a novel efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst. SnS2/PANI composite was synthesized via first mixing of SnS2 and PANI in N,N-Dimethylformamide solution and subsequent evaporation of N,N-Dimethylformamide. The characterization by Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the production of SnS2/PANI composite. UV-vis diffuse reflectance absorbance spectra showed that the coupling with PANI enhanced the visible-light-absorbing capability of SnS2. The photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectra showed that SnS2/PANI composite was more efficient in the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges than SnS2. The photocatalytic tests showed that SnS2/PANI composite exhibited notably higher photocatalytic activity than SnS2 in reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible-light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation (the rate of photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by SnS2/PANI composite was nearly 4.2 times that by SnS2). The possible reasons underlying the enhanced photocatalytic activity of SnS2/PANI composite were also proposed.