Polymeric sulfur as an active photocatalyst in the degradation of Rhodamine B under UV and visible light irradiation

Abstract

Polymeric sulfur was synthesized by low-temperature melt route. Its structure and properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fluorescence and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller. Rhodamine B aqueous solution was used to test the photocatalytic ability of polymeric sulfur under ultraviolet and visible light illumination. The polymeric sulfur, due to its porous structure and high specific surface area, presented excellent photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B degradation under UV and visible light in comparison to α-sulfur. The excellent adsorption ability, lower recombination rate of free charge carriers and suitable band gap to absorb UV and visible light are also contributed to the photocatalytic activity of polymeric sulfur.

Keywords:

• Polymeric sulfur
• photocatalysis
• UV and visible light
• Rhodamine B degradation