Construction of Ni-contained zeolitic imidazolate framework / carbon nitride composite with modified photoelectric properties for enhanced photocatalytic degradation

ZIF/CN and Ni-contained ZIF/CN composite catalysts were successfully synthesized via two-step strategy. The physicochemical properties characterized by various methods indicated that the two composite catalysts possessed a higher surface area than as-prepared CN. Ni-ZIF/CN catalyst showed the beneficial effects on visible light absorption, electron-hole carrier generation, transfer and separation. The photocatalytic properties of the catalysts were examined via methyl orange (MO) degradation. Both of ZIF/CN and Ni-ZIF/CN exhibited the high decolorization rates above 99%, and the high reaction rate constant which is twice than that of CN. It can be concluded that ZIF-modified carbon nitride photocatalysts possess excellent photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic activity, giving a new pathway for modifying the band structures of materials to enhanced photocatalytic properties.