A rational design of g-C3N4-based ternary composite for highly efficient H2 generation and 2,4-DCP degradation

Y In this work, g-C3N4 based ternary composite (CeO2/CN/NH2-MIL-101(Fe)) has been fabricated via hydrothermal and wet-chemical methods. The composite showed superior photoactivities for H2O reduction to produce H-2 and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation. The amount of H-2 evolved over the composite under visible and UV-visible irradiations is 147.4 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1) and 556.2 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1), respectively. Further, the photocatalyst degraded 87% of 2,4-DCP in 2 hrs under visible light irradiations. The improved photoactivities are accredited to the synergistic-effects caused by the proper band alignment with close interfacial contact of the three components that significantly promoted charge transfer and separation. The 2,4-DCP degradation over the composite is dominated by (OH)-O-center dot radical rather than h(+) and O-2(center dot-) as investigated by scavenger trapping experiments. This is further supported by the electron para-magnetic resonance (EPR) study. This work provides new directions for the development of g-C3N4 based highly efficient ternary composite materials for clean energy generation and pollution control. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The ternary composite based on g-C3N4 (CeO2/CN/NH2-MIL-101(Fe)) exhibited superior photocatalytic activities for H2O reduction to produce H-2 and degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). The enhanced photoactivities were attributed to the synergistic effects of proper band alignment and close interfacial contact of the three components, which significantly promoted charge transfer and separation. The degradation of 2,4-DCP over the composite was found to be primarily dominated by (OH)· radical, as confirmed by scavenger trapping experiments and electron para-magnetic resonance (EPR) study.