Novel In2S3/Zn–Al LDHs composite as an efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst for tetracycline degradation

Hexagonal Zn–Al hydrotalcite (Zn–Al LDHs) has become a research hotspot in the field of photocatalysis due to efficient photocatalytic performance, low cost and non-toxicity. In this research, In2S3/Zn–Al LDHs composites were firstly synthesized by one-pot method with InCl3 and TAA as raw materials. The crystalline structure, surface morphology, chemical composition, together with optical properties of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrometry (DRS), and Photoluminescence spectra (PL). The photocatalytic performance of the composite photocatalyst was investigated by degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible-light irradiation. The photochemical properties and cyclic stability of the photocatalyst were further explored. Experimental results display that the photocatalytic efficiency of In2S3/Zn–Al LDHs (1:2) was remarkably superior to that of pure In2S3 and Zn–Al LDHs. In2S3/Zn–Al LDHs (1:2) composite showed high photocatalytic activity for TC degradation (92.2% within 30 min). The modification of Zn–Al LDHs by In2S3 prompted the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and thus improved the photocatalytic performance. It can be inferred that the efficient photocatalytic performance of In2S3/Zn–Al LDHs composites could remove many hazardous pollutants in wastewater.