Facile synthesis and photocatalytic efficacy of UiO-66/CdIn2S4 nanocomposites with flowerlike 3D-microspheres towards aqueous phase decontamination of triclosan and H2 evolution

Construction of porous heterostructure photocatalyst material with improved surface and optoelectrical properties is a practical and effective strategy for mineralization of toxic organic pollutants and water splitting reaction under visible light irradiation. Herein, we have developed a facile hydrothermal route to prepare a series of novel UiO-66/CdIn2S4 heterojunction nanocomposite materials containing finely dispersed UiO-66 spherical nanoparticles (20−40 nm) anchored over high aspect ratio CdIn2S4 nanosheets. Comprehensive characterization of the UiO-66/CdIn2S4 nanocomposites revealed a hierarchical 3D microflower structure with enhanced surface reactive sites, better channelization of charge carriers, high resistance to charge recombination and a favorable band alignment between the two semiconductor components. The optimal photocatalyst (30UiO-66/CdIn2S4) showed improved photocatalytic efficiency towards triclosan degradation with rate constant (0.0094 min−1) twelve times higher than the pure CdIn2S4 (0.0007 min−1). The 30UiO-66/CdIn2S4 photocatalyst also exhibited higher H2 evolution rate (2.95 mmolg−1 h−1) with apparent conversion efficiency of 20.8 %.