Synthesis and photocatalysis of peony-like ZnIn2S4 microspheres

Peony-like ZnIn₂S₄ microspheres were successfully synthesized via a convenient one-step solvothermal method by using Zn(CH₃COO)₂ · 2H₂O, InCl₃ · 4H₂O and L-cysteine at 160 °C for 48 h. The crystal structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the products consisted of peony-like microspheres with petals of ~30 nm in thickness. A possible mechanism for the formation of the product is also proposed in this paper. The as-prepared product showed enhanced UV-light photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation.