Synthesis of a core-shell heterostructured MoS2/Cd0.9Zn0.1S photocatalyst for the degradation of diclofenac under visible light

The development of novel noble metal-free semiconductor catalysts with high photocatalytic efficiency is of great importance toward the degradation of organic compounds. In this work, a core-shell heterojunction MoS 2 /Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 S photocatalytic material was successfully synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The introduction of MoS 2 led to a significant improvement in the photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac (DCF). It was confirmed that 0.1% loading content of MoS 2 achieved an optimal photocatalytic efficiency of 86% in the degradation of DCF under visible light irradiation, which was 1.8 times higher than that of Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 S. The MoS 2 /Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 S heterostructured composites possessed improved photocatalytic properties, which implied that the combination of Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 S and MoS 2 shortened the carrier transport pathway and facilitated the separation efficiency of electrons and holes. Reactive species (RS) scavenging experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) demonstrated that superoxide radicals (O 2 •− ) and electron holes (h + ) played predominant roles throughout the DCF degradation process. The primary intermediates were explored through HRAM LC/MS/MS, and a transformation pathway was tentatively proposed. This study promoted the application of an economical, highly efficient and visible light driven MoS 2 co-catalyst for the degradation of organic contaminants.