Sandwich-like 2D/2D ZnIn 2 S 4 /Ti 3 C 2 composite for highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of U(VI)

Novel sandwich-like ZnIn 2 S 4 /Ti 3 C 2 composites with strong interfacial coupling were prepared by a facile solvothermal approach for U(VI) photocatalytic reduction immobilization. The integration of Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets into ZnIn 2 S 4 hierarchical structures endowed the composite outstanding photocatalytic performance through improving the utilization of solar energy and boosting the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, evidenced by a fast reaction rate of 0.0247 min −1 , which was 3.20 times of that for pristine ZnIn 2 S 4 . The corresponding U(VI) removal efficiency of 50 ppm U(VI) solution reached 96.1% under visible light irradiation without sacrificial agents. In addition, the excellent stability and reusability of ZnIn 2 S 4 /Ti 3 C 2 has been demonstrated. Graphical Abstract Sandwich-like 2D/2D ZnIn 2 S 4 /Ti 3 C 2 composite for highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of U(VI)