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Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Copper Tin Sulfide (Cu2SnS3) Composite for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline

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Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-copper tin sulfide (Cu2SnS3), (rGO-CTS), composites were successfully synthesized through a facile ex-situ process and the obtained composites were utilized as photocatalysts for the degradation of tetracycline (TCE) under a UV-LED irradiation. Physicochemical and morphological characterization of the composites confirmed the incorporation of CTS unto rGO. The optical study of the composites, using absorption spectroscopy, showed a red shift to lower energy with increase in the percentage of rGO in the composites. This reduction in band gap suggests a possible enhancement in photocatalytic potency due to enhanced charge carrier generation. The photocatalytic degradation study showed an increase in TCE degradation with increase in rGO content of the composite. This enhanced photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to: (i) enhanced adsorption properties due to the increased presence of oxygenated functional groups on rGO, and (ii) increased charge carrier generation and separation due to modification of the band edge potentials of the composites by the incorporation of rGO. Radical scavenging studies of the degradation process showed that photogenerated holes played the most significant role in the degradation process. A plausible mechanism was proposed for the degradation process based on the radical scavenging experiment and charge carrier characteristics of the catalyst.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to Dr Innocent Shuro of the Laboratory for Electron Microscopy (LEM), CRB, for SEM and TEM analysis.

Funding

Authours acknowledge the North-West University, South African and National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa for funding this research.

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  1. Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa

    Olalekan C. Olatunde & Damian C. Onwudiwe

  2. Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa

    Olalekan C. Olatunde & Damian C. Onwudiwe

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  1. Olalekan C. Olatunde
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Olatunde, O.C., Onwudiwe, D.C. Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Copper Tin Sulfide (Cu2SnS3) Composite for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline. J Inorg Organomet Polym 32, 2578–2590 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-022-02308-x

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