Synthesis and Investigation of Photocatalytic Properties of g-C₃N₄/ZnIn₂S₄ Heterostructures
Rubrics: 1. CHEMISTRY
Authors:
1.
KNITU
3.
Kazan National Research Technological University
Kazanskiy Fiziko-Tehnicheskiy Institut im. E.K. Zavoyskogo FIC KazNC RAN
Russian Federation
Kazanskiy Fiziko-Tehnicheskiy Institut im. E.K. Zavoyskogo FIC KazNC RAN
Russian Federation
Type:
Article
Pages:
from 25
to 29
Status:
Published
Received:
27.01.2026
Accepted:
28.01.2026
Published:
28.01.2026
Language:
Russian
Keywords:
CARBON NITRIDE, ZINC INDIUM SULFIDE, PHOTOCATALYSIS, RHODAMINE B, VISIBLE LIGHT
Abstract:
The growing concentration of persistent organic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems due to industrial discharges poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The ineffectiveness of traditional purification methods necessitates the development of new, more advanced, and more cost-effective technologies. Photocatalytic oxidation, which utilizes solar energy, is a promising method. However, the widespread use of classic photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide, is hampered by their fundamental limitations: a wide band gap absorbing only UV light and a high rate of charge carrier recombination. To overcome these drawbacks, this study proposes a strategy for creating a hybrid photocatalyst based on a heterostructure of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, CN) and zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4, ZIS). The aim of the study was to synthesize a CN/ZIS heterostructured photocatalyst and evaluate its efficiency in degrading organic pollutants under visible light. FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the retention of the CN structure after modification, and demonstrated a significant expansion of the hybrid's light absorption into the visible region. Formation of the heterostructure was found to lead to a sharp increase in the adsorption capacity for methylene blue. Photocatalytic activity was assessed using a model of rhodamine C decomposition under LED radiation. The CN/ZIS hybrid photocatalyst was shown to be more active than the individual components: the reaction rate constant for the composite was 3.3 and 1.56 times higher than that for pure CN and ZIS, respectively. The synergistic effect was attributed to the formation of a type II heterojunction, which ensures efficient separation of charge carriers and suppression of their recombination, as well as to the optimization of adsorption-desorption properties. The resulting photocatalyst demonstrates high potential for use in solar-assisted wastewater treatment.
The growing concentration of persistent organic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems due to industrial discharges poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The ineffectiveness of traditional purification methods necessitates the development of new, more advanced, and more cost-effective technologies. Photocatalytic oxidation, which utilizes solar energy, is a promising method. However, the widespread use of classic photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide, is hampered by their fundamental limitations: a wide band gap absorbing only UV light and a high rate of charge carrier recombination. To overcome these drawbacks, this study proposes a strategy for creating a hybrid photocatalyst based on a heterostructure of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, CN) and zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4, ZIS). The aim of the study was to synthesize a CN/ZIS heterostructured photocatalyst and evaluate its efficiency in degrading organic pollutants under visible light. FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the retention of the CN structure after modification, and demonstrated a significant expansion of the hybrid's light absorption into the visible region. Formation of the heterostructure was found to lead to a sharp increase in the adsorption capacity for methylene blue. Photocatalytic activity was assessed using a model of rhodamine C decomposition under LED radiation. The CN/ZIS hybrid photocatalyst was shown to be more active than the individual components: the reaction rate constant for the composite was 3.3 and 1.56 times higher than that for pure CN and ZIS, respectively. The synergistic effect was attributed to the formation of a type II heterojunction, which ensures efficient separation of charge carriers and suppression of their recombination, as well as to the optimization of adsorption-desorption properties. The resulting photocatalyst demonstrates high potential for use in solar-assisted wastewater treatment.
Keywords:
CARBON NITRIDE, ZINC INDIUM SULFIDE, PHOTOCATALYSIS, RHODAMINE B, VISIBLE LIGHT
CARBON NITRIDE, ZINC INDIUM SULFIDE, PHOTOCATALYSIS, RHODAMINE B, VISIBLE LIGHT
