Facile construction of multifunctional Cu 2 O@ZnIn 2 S 4 heterojunction with accelerated charge transfer for efficient photocatalytic treatment of tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation, DFT calculations

The extensive applicability and remarkable stability of nano-semiconductor photocatalysts are of paramount importance for advancing the field of efficient water treatment. This study presents, Cu 2 O@ZnIn 2 S 4 photocatalytic materials with type II heterostructure were prepared by indium zinc sulfide capping technology to degrade tetracycline. Characterization results indicated that the degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) could achieve 99.2 % under simulated aqueous environmental conditions, maintaining a degradation rate exceeding 85 % after five cyclic stability tests. Concurrently, the constructed type-II heterojunction effectively enhanced the transient photo responsiveness of the catalyst, facilitating the rapid transfer of photogenerated electrons. Furthermore, the structural configuration of the parceled ZnIn 2 S 4 lamellae acted as a photon trap, minimizing the reflection of incident light and augmenting light utilization efficiency. The inherent electric field of the heterojunction significantly facilitated the degradation of TC, while the nanosheet architecture and surface porosity of the catalyst contributed to enhanced mass transfer capabilities, as corroborated by density-functional theory calculations and band gap analysis. This study utilized Cu 2 O@ZnIn 2 S 4 as an efficient photocatalyst for water treatment, thereby offering a viable approach for practical applications of the catalyst.