Synthesis and Characterization of Zr‐MOF/g‐C 3 N 4 Nanocomposite Photocatalyst and Its Utilization in Decomposition of an Organic Dye Pollutant in Aqueous Medium

ABSTRACT In this study, a novel two‐dimensional (2D) composite photocatalyst composed of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) decorated with zirconium‐based metal organic framework (Zr‐MOF) nanoparticles, UiO‐66‐NH 2 (Zr), was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, and its photocatalytic activity was tested with an organic compound as a model synthetic environmental and ecological pollutant for aquatic systems. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of g‐C 3 N 4 , Zr‐MOF and the nanocomposite photocatalyst (Zr‐MOF/g‐C 3 N 4 ) were systematically characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, UV–Vis DRS, and TGA measurements. The photocatalytic performance of g‐C 3 N 4 , Zr‐MOF, and the Zr‐MOF/g‐C 3 N 4 nanocomposite photocatalyst was evaluated by following the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous medium under UV irradiation. Morphological investigation revealed that the g‐C 3 N 4 nanosheets were decorated with the octahedral Zr‐MOF nanoparticles. TGA analysis confirmed that the Zr‐MOF/g‐C 3 N 4 photocatalyst is composed of equal amounts of both components by weight. It was found that the g‐C 3 N 4 exhibited only modest photocatalytic activity due to rapid charge recombination, while the Zr‐MOF showed a significantly higher photocatalytic efficiency. However, the Zr‐MOF/g‐C 3 N 4 nanocomposite yielded a superior photocatalytic activity, showing a degradation rate constant of 0.0142 min −1 . The enhanced performance of the hybrid system was attributed to the synergic effect between g‐C 3 N 4 and Zr‐MOF, which facilitated charge separation and improved dye adsorption, although the intrinsic catalytic activity was still dominated by the Zr‐MOF. This study highlights the importance of structurally designed Zr‐MOF‐based heterostructures in manufacturing photocatalysts for efficiently decomposing organic pollutants in aquatic environments and water remediation processes.