Polyaniline-modified 3D-spongy SnS composites for the enhanced visible-light photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange

Abstract In this study, a polyaniline-modified 3D-spongy SnS photocatalyst (PANI/SnS) has been prepared using an in-situ oxidative polymerization technique for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. PANI/SnS reached to a rate constant of 4.040 × 10-2 min-1 more than 2 times of that pure SnS and maintained a good stability after four cycling runs for methyl orange degradation. The better photocatalytic activity and stability of PANI/SnS catalyst were ascribed to the π-conjugated structure characteristic of PANI and the interaction between PANI and SnS. On the one hand, induced π-conjugated electrons transferred from PANI to SnS could effectually inhibite the electrons and holes recombination. On the other hand, the presence of C-S and Sn-N bonds between PANI and SnS could protect the S and/or Sn element from direct exposure to the corrosive environment, then restraining photocorrosion behavior. This study implies that conductive conjugated polymer (PANI) modified tin sulfide will be a potential reusable and stable photocatalyst for methyl orange removal from waste-water by photocatalysis.