Facile synthesis of the direct Z-scheme sulfuretted NiFe-layered double hydroxides/CdS heterojunction for the improved photodegradation of model organic pollutants

Exploiting efficient and reusable photocatalysts is a challenging matter for environmental pollutants remediation. Herein, the novel sulfuretted NiFe-layered double hydroxides/CdS (NiFeS _x/CdS) Z-scheme photocatalysts were rationally fabricated by in-situ solvothermal methods and the various characterization techniques, such as XRD, FT-IR, TEM, HR-TEM, XPS and UV-Vis DRS, demonstrated that the photocatalysts were successfully synthesized. Moreover, the NiFeS _x /CdS100 heterostructure exhibited the optimal tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) removal efficiency of 85.77%, which was 3.10 and 2.42 times higher than the NiFeS _x and CdS, respectively. In addition, the photodegradation performances of NiFeS _x /CdS100 composites towards MB and RhB also reached up to 92.09% and 92.81%, respectively. The exceptional photodegradation activity was ascribed to the higher visible light utilization as well as the fast photo-induced electrons and holes separation efficiency. More importantly, the good configurational stability and recyclability of NiFeS _x/CdS were observed because of its strong synergistic effect, which provides the possibility of photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants for a long time. At last, based on the consideration of band position and supervising of active radicals, the legitimate Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. The current work supplies novel insights for exploitation of sustainable solar energy in environmental remediation.