Nanoarchitectonics earth-abundant chalcogenide Cu2SnS3 thin film using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis for visible light-driven photocatalysis

Photocatalysis is the process which used to remove the dye from the effluent. Here, we have used earth-abundant chalcogenide Cu2SnS3 (CTS) thin film as a photocatalyst to remove the dye (methylene blue) under visible light irradiation. A low cost ultrasonic spray pyrolysis was used to deposit the film on soda-lime glass substrate in a single step at optimized temperature 500 degrees C. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the CTS film have been studied using XRD, SEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Structural analysis confirms the formation of Cu2SnS3 tetragonal structure without any secondary impurities. SEM image indicates the surface of this film is smooth and uniform. Bandgap of film is found to be 1.35 eV. Photocatalysis activity of CTS thin film is studied by degrading methylene blue (MB) dye (1 x10(-5) M) in water solution under visible light irradiation. It degrades 90% MB in 3 h. To evaluate the industrial effluent, we have studied the photocatalytic activity in different pH (4, 7, 9) medium. It shows that the MB degradation is faster in the base medium compare to acidic or neutral medium. It takes 1 h to degrade 90% dye in base medium. Films are showing good repeatable performance of the photocatalytic activity. [GRAPHICS] .