Hydrothermal synthesis of Cu(X)-CdIn2S4 microspheres and photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation

A series of Cu(X)-CdIn2S4 microspheres have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal approach. The results of characterization disclose that the morphology, optical properties and electronic nature of Cu(X)-CdIn2S4 samples are tuned by the Cu injection. The photocatalytic activities of these samples have been evaluated by photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible light (λ>420 nm) irradiation. The results show that the 5 wt% Cu-CdIn2S4 sample possesses the highest photocatalytic activity and performs a decent stability during three successive recycling tests. A possible mechanism of the photocatalytic reduction for aqueous Cr(VI) over Cu(X)-CdIn2S4 is proposed and discussed.