Enhancing the photocatalytic activity of Cu0.25Zn0.75S nanodisks by metallic Ag loading in the visible-light region

Abstract

Ag-loaded Cu_0.25Zn_0.75S (Ag/Cu_0.25Zn_0.75S) photocatalysts were synthesized for the photodegradation of organic pollutants such as rhodamine B (RhB), methyl violet (MV) and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP) under visible-light irradiation. Metallic Ag facilitated the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of Cu_0.25Zn_0.75S nanodisks, and a Ag loading content of 11% exhibited great degradation efficiency for the degradation of RhB with the assistance of H₂O₂ under acidic conditions. This sample presented slight deactivation for the visible-light-driven degradation of RhB after five cycles. In addition, the excellent photocatalytic activity of Ag/Cu_0.25Zn_0.75S was obtained for the removal of MV and CIP. ·O₂⁻ is mainly responsible for the efficient activity of the photocatalytic process.