Fabrication of CuCo2S4 yolk-shell spheres embedded with S-scheme V2O5-deposited on wrinkled g-C3N4 for effective promotion of levofloxacin photodegradation

• CuCo 2 S 4 was successfully embedded with S-scheme V 2 O 5 deposited on wrinkled g-C 3 N 4 lamella. • The ternary nanostructure demonstrated ultramost photocatalytic efficiency toward levofloxacin decomposition (98%). • Long-term reaction toward completed levofloxacin mineralization displayed the inconsequential quantity of released elements. • Consecutive cycling experiment suggested superb stability of nanocomposite. • Charge-flow relocation through the construction of interfacial electronic field was discussed. The influential light-harvesting and tremendous reduction capability along with the potentiality (photo)electrochemical merits of the thiospinels like CuCo 2 S 4 (CCS), appreciably bring forth an advancement in efficacious photocatalytic reactions. However, scant oxidation potential originated from 3p orbitals of sulfur atoms puts a damper on their performance and even is conducive to self-oxidation. In this research, the surfactant/template free of hierarchical yolk-shell-structured CCS thiospinels was synthesized using solvothermal sulfidation of the affordable glycerate-based CuCo-alkoxide. The as-synthezied CCS was successfully embedded with S-scheme V 2 O 5 deposited on wrinkled g-C 3 N 4 lamella (VO-WCN) in the interest of developing superior active ternary VO-WCN@CCS nanophotocatalyst for detoxification of levofloxacin (LF). The exceptional physicochemical properties of as-constructed samples were scrutinized via diverse characterization methods. After the optimization of CCS loading (30 wt%) and operational parameters, the VO-WCN@CCS(30) demonstrated ultramost photocatalytic efficiency toward LF decomposition (98 %) within 120 min reaction, which was 7.2, 9.9, and 19.1-fold greater than the pristine VO, WCN, and CCS, respectively. In the matter of catalyst reusability, the VO-WCN@CCS(30) could retain 88 % of initial performance after six consecutive disintegration cycles with negligible leached metals, and no evidence of variation was observed in the authenticated crystal structure. After thoroughly mineralization of the LF under ternary VO-WCN@CCS(30) nanocomposite for a duration of 300 min, ICP analysis exhibited the inconsequential amount of leached metals in the interest of catalyst stability. Encompassing the yolk-shell-structured CCS spheres into the superb stabilized heterogeneous VO-WCN prevails against self-oxidation and harsh surrounding conditions. The combination of the light-harvesting and modulated electronic traits of the yolk-shell configuration of CCS with the S-scheme VO-WCN system, this study shed light on a new generation of efficacious sulfide-based nanocomposites for the photo-decontamination of non-biodegradable pollutants.