Construction of WSe2/In2S3 heterojunction for boosted photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light

BACKGROUND The construction of a heterojunction is an effective strategy to enhance the activity of a photocatalyst. RESULTS WSe2/In2S3 photocatalysts with favorable photostability and reusability were prepared via a hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological features of WSe2/In2S3 were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Photocatalytic performance of WSe2/In2S3 was tested by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light. The optimal degradation rate of MB by WSe2/In2S3 reached 92% within 120 min. After eight regeneration cycles, the degradation of WSe2/In2S3 still reached 70% and exhibited good photocatalytic stability. CONCLUSION The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the formation of heterostructure of WSe2/In2S3, which could effectively separate the photogenerated e(-)-h(+) pairs. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic degradation intermediates of MB by WSe2/In2S3 heterostructure was investigated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results show that the obtained WSe2/In2S3 photocatalyst has a promising practical application. (c) 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).