Nonthermal plasma sulfurized CuInS2/S-doped MgO nanosheets for efficient solar-light photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

To enhance the adsorption-photocatalytic capacity of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) under solar light irradiation, ultrafine CuInS2 nanoparticles of 5 nm modified MgO with S doping (CIS/S-MgO) nanosheets were in-situ sulfurized in the nonthermal plasma. Compared with pure MgO, In2S3/S-MgO and CuS/S-MgO, CIS/S-MgO exhibited the better photocatalytic activity while worse adsorption capacity. The optimal 2-CIS/S-MgO could remove 98.4% of 200 mg L−1 TCH solution within 180 min, and declined to 92.3% after five cycles. The attenuated surface discharge and small BET surface area of CIS/S-MgO induced to the inferior adsorption capacity, while the Z-structured junction formed between CuInS2 and S-MgO was favorable for the charge transfer and separation of electron-hole pairs. •O2− was vital for enhancing the solar-light photocatalytic activity of 2-CIS/S-MgO. [Display omitted] •CIS/S-MgO nanosheets were in-situ sulfurized in the nonthermal plasma.•Optimal CIS/S-MgO removed 98.4% of 200 mg L−1 TCH solution within 180 min.•O2- was the vital radical in adsorption-photocatalytic system.•Z-structured junction favored the transfer and separation of charge carriers.