Abstract Au-decorated ZnIn2S4 plasmonic micro-architectures were synthesized through the hydrothermal method, followed by a citrate reduction process that eventually facilitates the formation of hierarchical microsphere porous morphologies for effective catalysis. An optimum amount of 2.5 wt% Au/ZnIn2S4 exhibits a high degree of photochemical conversion in both toxic organic dyes and antibiotics, compared to that exhibited by pristine ZnIn2S4. Photoluminescence and photocurrent density confirms the charge transfer mechanism, and the electron spin trapping confirms the formation of radical species. The improved photoelectrocatalytic performance is demonstrated by the rapid charge separation, transmission, and availability of more reactive species from localized Au/ZnIn2S4 surface plasmon resonance at an optimum bias voltage of 0.5 V. The designed sensor exhibits a reasonably high sensing ability with a low limit of detection (0.8 μM) within the linear concentration range from 0.5 to 250 μM. This research highlights the improved strategy for developing noble metal decorated ternary metal sulfides and synchronizes photoelectrochemical properties to extend its application as sensors and photoelectrocatalysts.

中文翻译：

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构建金敏化的 ZnIn2S4 微结构，以实现有效的可见光驱动光化学氧化和微污染物的传感

摘要 通过水热法合成了金修饰的 ZnIn2S4 等离子体微结构，然后进行柠檬酸还原过程，最终促进分层微球多孔形态的形成，以实现有效催化。与原始 ZnIn2S4 相比，最佳量的 2.5%Au/ZnIn2S4 在有毒有机染料和抗生素中表现出高度的光化学转化。光致发光和光电流密度证实了电荷转移机制，电子自旋俘获证实了自由基物种的形成。在 0.5 V 的最佳偏置电压下，局部 Au/ZnIn2S4 表面等离子体共振的更多反应性物种的快速电荷分离、传输和可用性证明了改进的光电催化性能。设计的传感器在 0.5 至 250 μM 的线性浓度范围内表现出相当高的传感能力，检测下限 (0.8 μM)。该研究强调了开发贵金属装饰的三元金属硫化物的改进策略，并同步光电化学性能以扩展其作为传感器和光电催化剂的应用。