NiAlFe LTH /MoS2 p-n junction heterostructure composite as an effective visible-light-driven photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of organic dye under high alkaline conditions

Chang-Min Kim; Mir Ferdous Chowdhury; Hong Rae Im; Kyunghwa Cho; Am Jang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142094

NiAlFe LTH /MoS₂ p-n junction heterostructure composite as an effective visible-light-driven photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of organic dye under high alkaline conditions

Chemosphere. 2024 Apr 20:358:142094. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142094. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chang-Min Kim¹, Mir Ferdous Chowdhury², Hong Rae Im², Kyunghwa Cho³, Am Jang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Future and Fusion Lab of Architectural, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Smart City, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Global Smart City, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea.
³ School of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: khcho80@korea.ac.kr.
⁴ Department of Global Smart City, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: amjang@skku.edu.

PMID: 38648984
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142094

Abstract

Designing of an effectual heterostructure photocatalyst for catalytic organic pollutant exclusion has been the subject of rigorous research intended to resolve the related environmental aggravation. Fabricating p-n junctions is an effective strategy to promote electron-hole separation of semiconductor photocatalysts as well as enhance the organic toxin degradation performance. In this study, a series of n-type NiAlFe-layered triple hydroxide (LTH) loaded with various ratios of p-type MoS₂ was synthesized for forming a heterostructure LTH/MoS₂ (LMs) by an in situ hydrothermal strategy. The photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM&EDX, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, as well as UV-vis DRS. The photoactivity of photocatalysts was tested by the degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) dye. The optimized catalyst (LM1) degrades 100% of indigo dye in high alkaline pH under UV light for 100 min. Besides, the degradation rate of LM1 is 15 times higher than that of pristine NiAlFe-LTH. The enhanced photoactivity is attributed to the synergistic effect between NiAlFe-LTH and MoS₂ as well as the p-n junction formation.

Keywords: Alkaline condition; Dye degradation; LTH/MoS(2); Photocatalysis; UV/Visible light.