Construction of a hierarchical ZnIn 2 S 4 /C 3 N 4 heterojunction for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

(denoted as ZIS/TCN). This ZIS/TCN heterojunction photocatalyst can take advantage of the hollow structure with stronger light absorption capacity and more active sites, and its heterostructure can accelerate the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers. The optimized ZIS/TCN-3 exhibits superb photocatalytic efficiency for the degradation of tetracycline (86.1%, 60 min), maintains excellent stability and recyclability, and provides a facile strategy for the synthesis of efficient heterojuction photocatalysts towards wastewater treatment. In addition, the plausible photocatalytic degradation pathway of tetracycline is proposed according to the intermediates identified by LC-mass analysis.