La2Ti2O7 nanoplates decorated with Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

Abstract

New visible-light-sensitive Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS)/La₂Ti₂O₇ hetero-junction photocatalysts have been successfully prepared via a hydrothermal method and in situ growth process. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV–vis–NIR) spectrophotometry. The CZTS/La₂Ti₂O₇ material exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity than pure La₂Ti₂O₇ and CZTS for the degradation of RhB under UV and visible light irradiation. The highest efficiency was observed with CZTS/La₂Ti₂O₇ = 0.5. The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of the CZTS/La₂Ti₂O₇ hetero-junction photocatalysts could be ascribed to their improved light absorption properties, high adsorption capacities and reduced recombination of the photoexcited electrons and holes during the photocatalytic reaction.