Multi-component Zn2SnO4/MoS2/Ag/AgCl for enhancing solar-driven photoelectrocatalytic activity

Schematic diagram of ZTO/MoS2/Ag/AgCl electrode removaling Organic pollutant. [Display omitted] •Zn2SnO4/MoS2/Ag/AgCl is prepared by hydrothermal method and by an in-situ deposition method.•SPR effect of Ag leads to improve visible light absorption ability and suppress carrier recombination.•MoS2 component can act as an electron mediator and accelerate the transmission of electrons.•Zn2SnO4/MoS2/Ag/AgCl electrode shows great activity in Methylene Blue and phenol degradation. In this study, efficient photoelectrocatalyst Zn2SnO4/MoS2/Ag/AgCl (ZTO/MoS2/Ag/AgCl) was prepared by hydrothermal method followed with the in-situ deposition process. ZTO/MoS2/Ag/AgCl electrode exhibited significant photoelectrocatalytic activity by degrading Methylene Blue (MB) and phenol of 96.5% and 68% respectively under simulated solar light within 2 h. According to a series of analysis and characterization, the results indicated that the multi-component ZTO/MoS2/Ag/AgCl not only broadened the visible light response ranges, but also restrained the recombination of charge carriers remarkably, which was due to the synergistic of SPR effect of Ag particles, and the agglomeration status in the special flake structures of MoS2. In addition, MoS2 also functioned as an electron mediator. Based on our results, we proposed a rational schematic mechanism for improved photoelectrocatalytic performance. This research provided exceptional insights for the use of zinc stannate-based materials for environmental remediation.