Hydrothermal Synthesis of CaIn₂S₄‑Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites with Increased Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract

A series of CaIn₂S₄-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites with different RGO contents were fabricated using a facile hydrothermal approach. During the hydrothermal process, the reduction of graphene oxide to RGO, in situ deposition of synthesized CaIn₂S₄ nanoparticles on RGO nanosheets and formation of chemical-bonding CaIn₂S₄-RGO nanocomposites were performed simultaneously. Under visible light irradiation, the as-prepared CaIn₂S₄-RGO nanocomposites showed enhanced photocatalytic performance for rhodamine B degradation and phenol oxidation. The sample with 5 wt % RGO hybridized CaIn₂S₄ exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The enhancement of photocatalytic performance may be related to the increased adsorption/reaction sites, positive shift of the valence band potential, and high separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers due to the electronic interaction between CaIn₂S₄ and RGO. We hope that this work can not only provide an in-depth study on the photocatalytic mechanism of RGO-enhanced activity, but also provide some insights for fabricating efficient and stable RGO-based photocatalysts in the potential applications of purifying polluted water resources