Hierarchical CdIn₂S₄ microspheres wrapped by mesoporous g-C₃N₄ ultrathin nanosheets with enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic reduction activity

In this investigation, a series of hierarchical CdIn₂S₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites were firstly synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal strategy, wherein the mesoporous g-C₃N₄ nanosheets were in-situ self-wrapped onto CdIn₂S₄ nanosheets. Systematic characterization by XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, SEM, TEM, HAAF-STEM, XPS, photoelectrochemical tests were employed to analyze the phase structure, chemical composition, morphology and photocatalytic mechanism. The application, including photo-redox reaction and photocatalytic water splitting, were used to estimate the photocatalytic activity of as-obtained CdIn₂S₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites. The results indicate that CdIn₂S₄/g-C₃N₄ heterostructures exhibit more efficient improvement of the photocatalytic performances towards photo-reduction of 4-NA to corresponding 4-PDA and photocatalytic H₂ generation from water splitting than these counterparts as results of construction of intimate interfacial contact, which would promote the separation of photo-generated holes and electrons. Meanwhile, benefitting from the excellent surface wrap, the CdIn₂S₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites possess notable enhanced photocatalytic stability. This research may provide a promising way to fabricate highly efficient photocatalysts with excellent stability and expand the application of CdIn₂S₄ in fine chemical engineering.