The band structure control of visible-light-driven rGO/ZnS-MoS2 for excellent photocatalytic degradation performance and long-term stability

ZnS-MoS2 solid solution anchored on reduced graphene oxide sheet (rGO/ZnS-MoS2) was explored as novel visible-light-driven photocatalysts, and synthesized by solvent thermal method. The light absorption intensity of rGO/ZnS-MoS2 was greatly strengthened, and rGO/ZnS-MoS2 possess modulated continuous band gaps from 3.47 to 3.56 eV by changing the Zn/Mo ratios and rGO content. Their photocatalytic activities for 2-nitrophenol degradation are dependent on the chemical composition, and the optimal 11% rGO/ZnS-MoS2 possessed the highest photocatalytic performance, which could be attributed to the most efficient charge separation, the largest specific area, and its optimized band structure. Moreover, 11% rGO/ZnS-MoS2 can effectively treat real industrial effluent with 74.05% COD removal, and maintain long-term stability without obvious decline after five use cycle.