Multifunctional hierarchical ZnIn2S4±δ microflowers with photocatalytic and pseudocapacitive behavior. (15th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Janani, R.; Sahoo, Malaya K.; Gupta, Bhavana; Rao, G. Ranga; Singh, Shubra
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 193(2019)
• Page Start: 806
• Page End: 813
• Publication Date: 2019-11-15
• Subjects: Hierarchical microflower -- Hydrothermal -- Photocatalytic dye degradation -- Methylene blue -- Photocurrent -- Charge storage; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2019.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Highlights: The synthesis of promising multifunctional material ZnIn2 S4 using hydrothermal method has been proposed. Photocatalytic dye degradation and photoelectrochemical measurements revealed the photocatalytic activity of the material. Charge storage capacity of the material has been explored for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Abstract: ZnIn2 S4 is an important mixed metal sulfide semiconductor with multifunctional properties, endowed upon by its hierarchical structure, large surface area and porosity. In this work, hierarchical ZnIn2 S4.1 (ZnInS) microflowers made up of petal like nanostructures are synthesized using a simple and facile hydrothermal method. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis of these microflowers showed porous structures with pores ~3 nm. This material shows a photocurrent density of 3.1 μA cm −2 and activity towards methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under direct sunlight. The sample also shows pseudocapacitive behavior with specific capacitance value of 131 F g −1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s −1 . The pseudocapacitive behavior of polycrystalline ZnInS has been explored for the first time to the best of our knowledge. This study demonstrates that the single phase ZnInS is a multifunctional material for photocatalysis and electrochemical charge storage applications.