Graphene quantum dots sensitized In 2 S 3 nanohybrids for improved photocatalytic activity

A graphene quantum dots (GQDs) sensitized In 2 S 3 heterostructure photocatalyst was synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis route. The high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) images reveal that the In 2 S 3 /GQD adopts the self-assembly three-dimensional flower-like nanostructure, in which In 2 S 3 forms the petal-like framework and the GQDs are grown on the surface of In 2 S 3 . The GQD has very high crystallinity and the loading amount of GQDs can be controlled during the synthesis process. The In 2 S 3 /GQDs catalyst exhibits extremely high adsorption capacity, photocatalytic activity and selectivity towards methylene blue. Under the identical experimental conditions, an optimum GQDs content of 1.09 wt% in the In 2 S 3 /GQDs nanocomposite resulted in 4.9 times higher dark adsorption rate and 3.7 times higher photodegradation rate for MB than pristine In 2 S 3 , making the In 2 S 3 /GQD a potential photocatalyst in water purification.