Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of lignin by In2S3 with hydrophobic surface and metal defects

•Indium sulfide with indium defects and hydrophobic surface is prepared.•Defect is important for the induction of CTAB.•The hydrophobic indium sulfide enhances the adsorption of lignin and oxygen.•InxS3-C exhibits good activity under low visible light (80 mW⋅cm−2, 5 W LED).•The degradation pathway of lignosulfonate was proposed by HPLC-MS.