Synthesis and photocatalysis of peony-like ZnIn2S4 microspheres

Abstract

Peony-like ZnIn2S4 microspheres were successfully synthesized via a convenient one-step solvothermal method by using Zn(CH3COO)2 · 2H2O, InCl3 · 4H2O and L-cysteine at 160 ^°C for 48 h. The crystal structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the products consisted of peony-like microspheres with petals of ∼30 nm in thickness. A possible mechanism for the formation of the product is also proposed in this paper. The as-prepared product showed enhanced UV-light photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation.