title: Zn:In(OH)ySz solid solution nanoplates: synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic mechanism.
abstract: Zn:In(OH)ySz solid solution nanoplates (Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSNs) with uniform nanoparticle size were synthesized through a simple sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-assisted hydrothermal process. To achieve better photoabsorption in the visible light (VL) region and suitable redox potentials of the Zn:In(OH)ySz solid solution (Zn:In(OH)ySz-SS), the substitution of S(2-) for OH was carried out by adjusting the concentration of thiourea and SDS in the synthesis solution, while the doping of Zn2+ was realized by adjusting Zn2+ concentration. In addition, the morphology and crystallinity of Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSs were also controlled by the concentration of SDS. Using Rhodamine B (RhB) as a target pollutant the photocatalytic performance of these Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSs with different components, diameter sizes, and morphologies was investigated. Remarkably, Zn:In(OH)ySz-SSNs prepared with atomic ratio of Zn2+ and In3+ of 0.6, 45 mmol L(-1) thiourea, and 26 mmol L(-1) SDS, have the highest visible-light-driven (VLD) photocatalytic activity, exceeding 95% for the degradation of RhB after 60 min. The investigation of photocatalylic mechanism further indicates that the holes, superoxide radical (*O2(-)) and surficial hydroxyl radical (*OHs) are the major reactive species for the photocatalytic reactions. More importantly, for the first time, a simple and versatile strategy is developed to confirm the fact that direct contact between the Zn:In(OH)ySz-SS and RhB is the prerequisite for the photocatalytic degradation of RhB. Therefore, we report not only the preparation of a novel and effective VL-driven photocatalyst, but also provide mechanistic insight into semiconductor photocatalysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Li-Sha
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Kin-Hang
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Die-Qing
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Jimmy C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Chiu-Yeung
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Po-Keung
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010782:Photolysis; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry; D013890:Thiourea / Q000737:chemistry; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C546143:Zn:In(OH)(y)S(z); D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D013890:Thiourea