Light absorption, photocarrier dynamic properties of hierarchical SnS2 microspheres and their performances on photodegradation of high concentration Rhodamine B

Abstract Heterogeneous photocatalysis has attracted considerable attention for environmental remediations, artificial photosynthesis, and the performance mainly depends on the light absorption, photocarrier dynamics and surface reactions of photocatalysts. Herein, the photocarrier dynamics of hierarchical SnS2 microspheres were studied by surface photovoltage and transient photovoltage spectra, in which the chemical composition, crystallinity, primary building blocks and assembling structures are affected by the light absorption and photocarrier transfer characteristics of SnS2. Further studies revealed that the enhanced visible light absorption and photocatalytic activity of Red-Embroidery-Ball-like microspheres were derived from the synergistic effects of S self-doping, the exciton transitions of surface states and the light trapping effects of porous hierarchical structure.