Amino-functionalized NH2-MIL-125(Ti)-decorated hierarchical flowerlike Znln2S4 for boosted visible-light photocatalytic degradation

Developing novel heterojunction photocatalysts with visible-light response and remarkable photocatalytic activity have been verified to applying for the photodegradation of antibiotics in water environment. Herein, NH2-MIL-125(Ti) was integrated with flowerlike Znln(2)S(4) to construct NH2-MIL-125(TH@Znln(2)S(4) heterostructure using a one-pot solvothermal method. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light illumination. The optimized NM(2%)@ZIS possesses a photodegradation rate (92.8%) and TOC removal efficiency (58.5%) superior to pristine components, which can be principally attributed to the positive cooperative effects of well-matched energy level positions, strong visible-light-harvesting capacity, and abundant coupling interfaces between the two. Moreover, the probable TC degradation mechanism was also clarified using the active species trapping experiments. This study inspires further design and construction of NH2-MIL-125(Ti) and Znln(2)S(4) based photocatalysts for effective removal of antibiotics in water environment.

Automated summary

The optimized NH2-MIL-125(TH@ZnIn2S4) heterostructure exhibits superior photocatalytic performance in the degradation of tetracycline under visible light, attributed to well-matched energy level positions, strong visible-light-harvesting capacity and abundant coupling interfaces between the two components. The probable degradation mechanism of tetracycline was clarified through active species trapping experiments, inspiring further research in the design and construction of photocatalysts for effective removal of antibiotics in water environments.