Visible-light-driven Sn-CdS/ZnFe2O4 S-scheme heterostructure for boosting photo-Fenton activities: A novel strategy for valence band reconstruction of sulfide by Sn-doping

The artificial-photosynthesized S-scheme heterojunction for photochemical energy conversion has inspired promising implications for green environmental remediation. Herein, we develop a visible-light response Sn-CdS/ZnFe 2 O 4 heterostructure to exhibit efficient photo-Fenton functionalities on the degradation of dye RhB and antibiotic TC under the simulated solar-driven irradiation. In our work, s-p orbital hybridization by Sn-doping has been employed as an effective strategy to reconstruct a new valence band to further modify the sulfides for their long-term stabilities in strong oxidizing environment. We have not only calculated the rationality of doping model and heterostructure but also experimentally verified the photo-physical process of charge transfer. Furthermore, the modified photocatalyst is conducive to contribute to the rapid and sustainable Fenton-like reactions with the best RhB and TC degradation rates of 1.00 μmol·min −1 ·g −1 cat. and 11.26 μmol·min −1 ·g −1 cat. respectively, which synergistically interplays with the generation and transition of reactive oxygen free radicals. This work extends a new viewpoint for the transition metal doping territory of electronic structure optimization to achieve pollutant degradation with high activity and stability to favor water decontamination applications.