Near-infrared-driven Cr(VI) reduction in aqueous solution based on a MoS2/Sb2S3 photocatalyst

Exploiting photocatalysts with a full spectrum response undoubtedly holds great potential. Here, a novel MoS2/Sb2S3 composite with a wide-range photoresponse was fabricated through a facile hydrothermal method. The as-obtained photocatalyst was characterized via a variety of techniques used for analyzing morphology, structure, and physical–chemical and photoelectrochemical properties. It was indicated that the MoS2/Sb2S3 hybrid possessed fast electron transport and improved light absorption. Additionally, the composite presents remarkable photoelectric conversion efficiency and optimal MoS2/Sb2S3 could remove Cr(VI) with efficiencies of 84%, 99% and 72% when exposed to ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared (NIR) light, which are 16, 50 and 25 times greater than those of Sb2S3, respectively. The enhanced NIR photocatalytic efficiency may be explained by the enhanced NIR light absorption, favorable charge separation and, in particular, the sulfur vacancies in MoS2.