Photocatalytic Performance of ZnS and TiO₂Supported on AC Under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

AC and ZnS modified TiO 2 composites (AC/ZnS/TiO 2 ) were prepared using a sol-gel method. The composite obtained was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, and according to the UV-vis absorption spectra (UV-vis). XRD patterns of the composites showed that the AC/ZnS/TiO 2 composites contain a typical single and clear anatase phase. The surface properties as observed by SEM present the characterization of the texture of the AC/ZnS/TiO 2 composites, showing a homogenous composition in the particles showing the micro-surface structures and morphology of the composites. The EDX spectra of the elemental identification showed the presence of C and Ti with Zn and S peaks for the AC/ZnS/TiO 2 composite. UV-vis patterns of the composites showed that these composites had greater photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. A rhodamine B (Rh.B) solution under visible light irradiation was used to determine the photocatalytic activity. The degradation of Rh.B was determined using UV/Vis spectrophotometry. An increase in the photocatalytic activity was observed. From the photocatalytic results, the excellent activity of the Y-fullerene/TiO 2 composites for the degradation of methylene blue under visible irradiation could be attributed to an increase in the photo-absorption effect caused by the ZnS and to the cooperative effect of the AC.

Properties of CuFeS2/TiO2 Nanocomposite Prepared by Mechanochemical Synthesis

“…One way to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 is coupling with other semiconductor, e.g., CdS, ZnS, CuInS 2 , CuInSe 2 , CuFeS 2 , etc. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Hybrid nano-structured systems as visible-light photocatalysts may be developed due to the attractive TiO 2 with its superlative photo-activity, low cost and toxicity, and convenient band gap energy (3–4 eV) [ 7 ].…”