Surface modification of organic hybrid indium sulfide via silver ion decoration with enhanced photocatalytic activity for degrading organic dyes and antibiotics

Crystalline organic hybrid metal chalcogenides have exhibited effective photocatalytic degradation ability for organic pollutants. However, few strategies have been applied to enhance its inherent photocatalytic degradation activity. Here, we used an organic hybrid indium sulfide [In8S13(S)1/2(SH)][In4S6(S3)1/2(SH)](TMDPH2)5 (HCF-1) (TMDP = 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine) as pristine material, by immersing HCF-1 into AgNO3 solution, the surface of HCF-1 crystal was decorated by Ag+ ions via electrostatic interaction. Compared with the pristine HCF-1, the as-modified Ag@HCF-1 exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance for organic dyes (RhB and MO) and antibiotics (TC and ENR). The decoration of Ag+ ions on the surface of HCF-1 can broaden the range of light absorption, and promote the separation of photo-generated carriers, and thus boost the photocatalytic activity. In addition, photocatalytic mechanism was studied by free radical capture experiments, which proved the dominant roles of h+ and •O2− in the degradation process.