A Novel Visible Light-Driven p-Type BiFeO3/n-Type SnS2 Heterojunction Photocatalyst for Efficient Charge Separation and Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

This present investigation focused on novel p-type bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3)/n-type tin sulfide (SnS2) heterostructure photocatalyst has been favorably attained via a facile two-step process followed by co-precipitation approach for enhances the photocatalytic activity through the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB) organic dyes under visible-light illumination. Structural, optical, and photocatalytic behavior of the prepared BiFeO3 and BiFeO3/SnS2 photocatalysts are carefully explored. The photocatalytic efficiency of BiFeO3/SnS2 nanocatalyst was calculated to be 83%, 78% for MB and RhB, respectively, within 120 min illumination whereas the pure BiFeO3 nanoparticle was 58% and 56% for MB and RhB. This prominent enhancement of visible light photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the separation as well as the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers, successful exploitation of visible light absorption and donates the enlarged number of photocatalytic active sites by the formation of BiFeO3/SnS2 p-n heterojunction.