Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production coupled with tetracycline degradation using Ru-ZnIn2S4 nanostructures

Ru-doped ZnIn₂S₄ (Ru-ZnIn₂S₄) nanostructures were prepared by doping different amounts of Ru into ZnIn₂S₄ through a one-step hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology, band structure, light absorption and photoelectrochemical properties of as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of characterization methods such as XRD, TEM, SEM, UV–vis DRS, PL and TRPL. These results show that doping Ru into ZnIn₂S₄ effectively improves the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. When the addition amount of RuCl₃ is 30 µmol, the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance reaches its optimum, achieving a hydrogen production rate of 5974.7 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹, which is 15.9 times greater than that of pure ZnIn₂S₄. In the experiment of hydrogen production coupled with tetracycline (TC) degradation, the degradation rate of TC for 0.03Ru-ZnIn₂S₄ reaches 70.2 %, and the hydrogen production rate reaches up to 202.8 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹, effectively achieving the hydrogen energy conversion and degradation of TC. This study presents a novel strategy for the treatment of wastewater by photocatalysis and realization of energy recovery as well as wastewater treatment.