Encapsulated MWCNT@MOF-derived In2S3 tubular heterostructures for boosted visible-light-driven degradation of tetracycline

Constructing advanced heterojunction structures is an effective approach to improve light utility and enhance photogenerated charge separation and transfer for solar energy conversion. Herein, we reported a MWCNT@MOF-derived In 2 S 3 hollow tube heterostructure via facile MOF sulfidation process, significantly boosting its photocatalytic degradation performance of tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation. The MWCNT bonds to the In 2 S 3 hollow tube strongly to construct an effective heterojunction, as illustrated in TEM and Raman spectroscopy. The 0.3%-MWCNT@MOF-derived In 2 S 3 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for visible-light-driven TC degradation, achieving ˜100% degradation efficiency, with its apparent reaction rate constants 3–5 times higher than that of the pure MOF-derived hollow In 2 S 3 and traditional In 2 S 3 bulk. The boosted visible-light-driven degradation efficiency was attributed to the synergy between electron acceptor of MWCNTs for enhanced separation of charge carriers and active center of MOF-derived In 2 S 3 hollow tube with shorter transfer distance of charge carriers, which not only promotes the carrier transfer and inhibits the recombination rate effectively, but also improves the visible light response. Such MOF-derived visible-light-active heterostructures thus provide a novel insight into the development of highly efficient photocatalyst for a wide usage.