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Herein, a novel ZnCo2O4/ZnIn2S4 composite was prepared through a novel one-pot refluxing wet chemistry process successfully. The phase structure, micro morphology and optical properties of photocatalyst were analyzed through XRD, SEM, XPS and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalysis of the prepared specimens were assessed by the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with visible-light (λ > 420 nm). Consequently, the ZnCo2O4/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst displayed better photocatalysis than the original constituents for hydrogen evolution. Moreover, the corresponding maximized hydrogen production rate of ZnCo2O4/ZnIn2S4 composite loaded with 15% ZnCo2O4 was 3713.4 μmol · h−1 · g−1, which registered approximately 10.2 folds higher than pristine ZnIn2S4. Moreover, the ZnCo2O4/ZnIn2S4 composite manifested superior stability during the photocatalytic reactions. In addition, the underlying mechanism for the outstanding performance of hydrogen production was revealed as well. This research offers inspiration for the rational creation of high-efficiency photocatalytic agents for hydrogen evolution.

An environment-friendly and economical magnetic composite, namely Fe3O4/GP, was produced from grapefruit peel (GP) and ferric chloride via the solvothermal method in one easy step, and was used to remove Congo red (CR), humic acid (HA), and phosphate (P) from aqueous solutions. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) procedures and specific surface area and zeta potential determination were applied to describe the structure of Fe3O4/GP composite. The results shown the Fe3O4 particles, which fabricated during the solvothermal reaction, were distributed evenly on the surface of GP. Then Fe3O4/GP composite also presented a high level of magnetism, and thus could be separated quickly from suspension by an external magnet. The adsorption efficiencies of Fe3O4/GP for CR, HA, and P were 92.88%, 47.45%, and 99.02%, which were found uninfluenced by the initial solution pH and attained the equilibrium state within 10 min. The kinetic and isothermal tests were performed and the data were consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and the Freundlich model.

Currently, growing attention has been paid to the sensitive determination and removal of Cu2+ because excessive levels of Cu2+ could do harm to organisms. Herein, a novel diethanolamine-modified magnetic fluorescent Fe3O4@ZnS nanoparticle (MFNP) for simultaneous detection and removal of Cu2+ was designed and synthesized through dithiocarbamate linkage strategy. The characterization of MFNP was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), infrared (IR) and emission spectra. The results showed that MFNP could quantificationally detect Cu2+ with high sensitivity and selectivity under a broad pH range (pH 4.5-9). The removal of Cu2+ was achieved by the aggregation-induced sedimentation (AIS) strategy and by external magnetic field.