ZnIn2S4 flowerlike microspheres embedded with carbon quantum dots for efficient photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)

Development of efficient heterostructured photocatalysts that respond to visible light remains a considerable challenge. We herein show the synthesis of ZnIn2S4/carbon quantum dot hybrid photocatalysts with flowerlike microspheres via a facile solvothermal method. The ZnIn2S4/carbon quantum dot flowerlike microspheres display enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activity compared with that of pure ZnIn2S4. With a content of only 0.5 wt % carbon quantum dots, 93% of Cr(VI) is reduced under visible-light irradiation at 40 min. As a co-catalyst, the carbon quantum dots improve the light absorption and lengthen the lifetime of charge carriers, consequently enhancing the photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activity.