Synthesis and characterization of visible light driven novel Co-In layered photocatalyst

Abstract In this work, a series of novel Co-In layered photocatalysts with varying Co/In mole ratio were designed and synthesized by using narrow band gap indium as the layer element. XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption technique and UV-vis spectrum were utilized to characterize the texture and the photo-adsorption property of the Co-In LDH samples. XRD result indicates that the samples possess hydrotalcite-like layered structure, and UV-vis spectrum depicts these materials have good absorption to visible light. The photo-adsorption property of the samples is dependent on its Co/In mole ratio. The calcined LDH materials showed high photocatalytic activity on the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) under visible light irradiation, which is related to the formation of Co(III).