Novel Cocatalyst Mnco2s4 Based on Zn3in2s6 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production and Ranitidine Degradation

Abstract

Photocatalysis provides a sustainable way to produce hydrogen and degrade harmful substances like ranitidine. In this research, Metal-like properties of MnCo2S4 nanoparticles were synthesized as a cocatalyst using a glycerol precursor synthesis method and integrated into Zn3In2S6 floral microsphere through a low-temperature hydrothermal method. The catalyst not only exhibits excellent hydrogen production efficiency but also demonstrates outstanding performance in degrading ranitidine. Under visible light irradiation, the MnCo2S4/Zn3In2S6 composite material reached a maximum hydrogen production rate of 4471.7 µmol·g-1·h-1 within 6 hours, which is 10.6 times higher than that of pure Zn3In2S6. Additionally, after 60 minutes of visible light irradiation, the MnCo2S4/Zn3In2S6 composite achieved a ranitidine degradation rate of 94.7%, significantly surpassing the performance of pure Zn3In2S6. This outstanding photocatalytic activity arises from the collaborative interactions of Zn3In2S6 with the conductive cocatalyst MnCo2S4, facilitating interfacial charge transfer. Furthermore a possible reaction mechanism was proposed through a series of experiments and characterization techniques. The creation of a Schottky junction at the MnCo2S4/Zn3In2S6 interface enables rapid electron transfer to MnCo2S4 nanoparticles, preventing backflow and thereby promoting effective separation of photo-induced charge carriers. Therefore, this study presents a novel approach for designing metal-semiconductor photocatalysts for effective hydrogen production and ranitidine degradation through photocatalysis.

Keywords: MnCo2S4/Zn3In2S6, photocatalysis, Hydrogen production, Ranitidine degradation, Schottky junction