Enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity via a stable perovskite-type LaFeO3/In2S3 Z-scheme heterostructured photocatalyst: Unobstructed photoexcited charge behavior of Z‑scheme photocatalytic system exploration.

● LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 Z-scheme composite has been prepared successfully for the first time. ● The heterostructured photocatalyst is applied for Rh B, TCH and BB degradation. ● The highest degradation rate was achieved by the prepared photocatalyst. ● The band structure of heterostructure leads to the forming of the Z-scheme route. ● The photoexcited charge in LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 transfer in an unobstructed Z-scheme route. [Display omitted] Materials of perovskite-type structure have been widely investigated for their prospect in photocatalysis. In this work, a novel composite material of p-type LaFeO 3 microsphere coated with n-type In 2 S 3 nanoparticles was fabricated to settle the water pollution problems through a mild hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology were studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX mapping and UV–visible absorption spectra. The results indicated that the LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 heterostructured photocatalyst was prepared successfully, and show an enhanced BET surface area and visible light absorption. The obtained heterostructured photocatalyst was applied to the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (Rh B), tetracycline (TCH) and brilliant blue (BB). Under optimized conditions, the degradation rate of LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 photocatalyst was dozens of times that of the pristine LaFeO 3 and pristine In 2 S 3. Notably, the degradation rate constant for Rh B, TCH and BB was 0.16709, 0.02684 and 0.0175 min−1 over as-prepared LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 photocatalyst, respectively. The surface photovoltage (SPV), reactive oxidation species scavenger (ROSs) and work function (WF) tests were applied to investigate the photoexcited charge behavior of LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 and the possible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation. The results demonstrate that the band bending is formed at the LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 heterostructured interface because the WF of LaFeO 3 is higher that of In 2 S 3 , which leads to the transfer of photoexcited electron from conduction band (CB) of LaFeO 3 to valence band (VB) of In 2 S 3 and the excellent photocatalytic degradation activity of water pollutants. And the Z-scheme charge transfer process was suggested at the LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 interface based on the energy band structure of LaFeO 3 and In 2 S 3 and ROSs results. Therefore, we believe that our rationally conceived LaFeO 3 /In 2 S 3 heterostructured photocatalyst advances the development of photocatalytic degradation and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]