Direct Z-scheme system of UiO-66 cubes wrapped with Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles for photocatalytic hydrogen generation synchronized with organic pollutant degradation

Optimized fabrication of Z-scheme photocatalyst based on MOF materials offers sustainable energy generation and environmental improvement due to their attractive properties. The Z-scheme heterojunctions consisting of UiO-66 cubes covered with Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles were fabricated by a facile solvothermal method. Thanks to the Z-scheme carrier transport under simulated sunlight irradiation, UiO-66@Zn0.5Cd0.5S exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance of H2 generation synchronized with organic pollutant degradation in fluoroquinolone antibiotic wastewater. Synergistically, the highest comprehensive performance was obtained in ciprofloxacin solution. The H2 yield reached 224 μmol∙ g−1∙ h−1 and simultaneously the removal efficiency was up to 83.6 %. The degradation pathways revealed that the process of piperazine ring cleavage and decarboxylation also generates H protons, further promoting the production of H2. Therefore, the effective spatial separation and transfer of the photoinduced carriers are attributed to the good band structure, large specific surface area, and cooperative reduction and oxidation reactions of UiO-66@Zn0.5Cd0.5S, resulting in significant photocatalytic activity. The toxicity assessment of antibiotics and intermediate products during the photocatalytic reaction also verifies the reduction of environmental risk. This study highlights a promising way to expand the application of the MOFs-based photocatalyst in clean energy conversion coupling with water remediation.