Exploration of double Z-type ternary composite long-afterglow/graphitic carbon nitride@metal–organic framework for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Methylene blue (MB) is a very widely used cationic dye for color cotton and silk products. The harmful MB has a complex aromatic structure that is difficult to be degraded in natural aqueous. In this study for the first time, a novel double Z-type ternary composite long-afterglow/graphitic carbon nitride@metal-organic framework (SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ /g-C 3 N 4 @NH 2 -UiO-66, SGN) has been synthesized by solvothermal method, and was used as a new photocatalyst for removal of MB. The photocatalytic performance of the composited photocatalyst SGN was largely improved compared to that of the non-composite. After 30 minutes of photocatalysis, the degradation ratio of SGN was 5.86, 4.04 and 10 times more efficient than that of long-afterglow (SAO), g-C 3 N 4 and NH 2 -UiO-66, respectively. The high photocatalytic activity of the SGN could be ascribed to the double Z-type electron transfer mechanism. More importantly, due to the luminescence of SAO, the degradation ratio of ternary SGN can reach about 50% after 5 hours in the dark. Superoxide anion (·O 2 - ) was verified to be the main active substance in the photocatalytic process by quenching experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra analysis. The total organic matter contents (TOC) and partial degradation products were measured, which confirmed that some MB was mineralized into H 2 O and CO 2 , and some was degraded into smaller molecules. Moreover, the excellent stability and recyclability of this catalyst were also investigated. Here, a new promising material with high degradation performance for water pollution treatment is presented.