One-step hydrothermal synthesis of In2.77S4 nanosheets with efficient photocatalytic activity under visible light

In2.77S4 nanosheets with the band gap energy of 1.75 eV were fast prepared via a hydrothermal process. The structure, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. Rhodamine B, methyl orange and potassium dichromate solution were used to evaluate the degradation efficiency of the as-prepared samples under the visible light, respectively. Experimental results showed that the molar ratio of thioacetamide to indium nitrate hydrate significantly influenced the structure and properties of the as-prepared products. With increasing the molar ratio, the degradation efficiency of rhodamine B solution was firstly increased and then decreased. When the molar ratio was 4: 1, the degradation efficiency of the as-prepared sample reached to 96% in 3 min and 100% in 9 min. Moreover, this semiconductor could degrade 88% of methyl orange solution in 30 min and 87% of potassium dichromate solution in 60 min, respectively.