Cu-doped In2S3 hierarchical structures for photocatalytic organic dye degradation under visible light irradiation.

[Display omitted] • Flower-like Cu-doped In 2 S 3 was constructed through a one-step hydrothermal method. • Cu-doping enhanced visible-light response and BET surface area of In 2 S 3. • Cu-doped In 2 S 3 exhibited excellent adsorption and catalytic degradation activity of Rhodamine B. • Superoxide ion radical was the main active substance in initiating the degradation of Rhodamine B. In 2 S 3 materials doped with different concentrations of copper ions (Cu-In 2 S 3) were designed and synthesized, which successfully improves the response to visible light, separation of carriers, and adsorption for rhodamine B of In 2 S 3. Cu-doping improves the photocatalytic activity of In 2 S 3 for dye removal. In 2 S 3 doped with 0.3% Cu2+ exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B. In addition, it shows high photocatalytic stability. The photocatalytic active species capture experiments show that the superoxide radical was the main active substance for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B over 0.3% Cu-In 2 S 3. This study provides a valuable reference for the construction of In 2 S 3 -based photocatalytic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]