Constructing an S‐Scheme Heterojunction between CdIn₂S₄ and an In₂O₃ Catalyst for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Herein, a novel CdIn 2 S 4 /In 2 O 3 heterojunction photocatalyst, aiming to enhance photocatalytic performance for pollutant degradation, is fabricated by a self‐assembly process at low temperature. Ternary CdIn 2 S 4 nanoparticles are uniformly deposited on the In 2 O 3 nanoflowers, forming a step‐scheme (S‐scheme) hybrid heterostructure. As a result, the light absorption efficiency and charge separation efficiency of CdIn 2 S 4 /In 2 O 3 are greatly improved. Among these fabricated samples are activated by visible light, and the degradation efficiency of gaseous acetone is as great as 92.3% over 10% CdIn 2 S 4 /In 2 O 3 within 3 h, which is the highest value observed. Furthermore, the key intermediate compounds are elucidated using in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, which strongly validate the hypothesized light degradation mechanism over CdIn 2 S 4 /In 2 O 3 . Correspondingly, a potential photocatalytic mechanism over CdIn 2 S 4 /In 2 O 3 S‐scheme heterojunction is explored and discussed.