Catalytic decontamination of organic/inorganic pollutants in water and green H2 generation using nanoporous SnS2 micro-flower structured film

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2021-09, Vol.417, p.126105-126105, Article 126105
• Main Authors: Patil, Supriya A., Shrestha, Nabeen K., Hussain, Sajjad, Jung, Jongwan, Lee, Sang-Wha, Bathula, Chinna, Kadam, Abhijit N., Im, Hyunsik, Kim, Hyungsang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrocatalysis; Photocatalysis; Porous SnS2 micro-flower; Solution process; Universal pH based HER; Urea decontamination
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126105

Recycling water and generation of H2 simultaneously as a green technology can be a key attraction in establishing environmental sustainability. Towards this endeavor, nanoporous SnS2 film electrodes deposited by a solution process on nickel foam demonstrate a promising electrocatalytic activity towards generation of H2 gas at cathode while the anodic reaction leads to the decomposition of urea-waste at the rate of 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH with a lower cell-potential of 1.38 V vs RHE. The SnS2 electrode also demonstrates an excellent catalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution reaction in a wide pH range (0−14). In addition, the SnS2 film deposited on an FTO-substrate shows 97.56% photocatalytic-degradation of methylene-blue dye within 180 min under irradiation of visible light with a good recyclability of the photocatalyst, suggesting its high potentiality for the practical application. The demonstrated good electro- and photo-catalytic activities can be ascribed to the nanoporous structure of SnS2 film in a flower like 3D-fashion, offering availability of abundant active catalytic sites. Our results demonstrate the application of SnS2 nanoporous film as catalyst can be a significant greenery path for the removal of harmful inorganic/organic hazardous wastes from waste-water with simultaneous generation of green H2 fuel. [Display omitted] •Fabrication of SnS2 micro-porous structured film via solution process.•Synthesized film shows outstanding water splitting in a wide pH range (0−14).•Adding urea, a significant reduction in cell voltage to 1.40 V vs RHE at 50 mA cm−2.•SnS2 film degradates MB dye within 180 min under visible-light irradiation.•A multifunctional platform for generating H2 fuel and decontaminate toxins in water.