Ligand modulated charge transfers in Z-scheme configured Ni-MOF/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for photocatalytic remediation of dye-polluted water

The development of photocatalysts must be meticulous, especially when they are designed to degrade hazardous dyes that cause mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. In this meticulous approach, Ni-based metal–organic frameworks with different ligands, including terephthalic acid (NTP), 2-aminoterephthalic acid (NATP), and their composite with g-C 3 N 4 (NTP/GCN, and NATP/GCN) have been synthesized using hydrothermal method. Structural analysis by XRD and ATR-IR revealed synergistic properties due to robust chemical interactions between the NATP-MOFs and GCN systems. A flower-like morphology was observed for both NTP and NATP, while their composites showed mixed-particulate structures mimicking the morphology of GCN. Optical analyses indicated visible-light driven properties with modulated recombination resistance in the system. Among the synthesized bare and composite systems, NATP/GCN exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency for the cationic rhodamine B dye (~ 93% in 120 min), while it was relatively less efficient for the anionic Congo red dye, (~ 64% in 120 min). The insights gained from the fundamental characterizations including Mott–Schottky, scavenger, and electrochemical impedance analysis revealed that the amino-groups in NATP/GCN composite offered the band edge potentials suitable for the effective generation of energetic radical species with the improved carrier delocalization, recombination resistance, and charge transfer properties in the composite system through Z-scheme formation. Parametric investigations by varying the concentration of catalyst, dye, and pH along with recycle studies, demonstrated the excellent stability of the developed composites for sustainable photocatalytic applications.