C3N4 modified with single layer ZIF67 nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants under visible light

Uniformly distributed single layer of ZIF67–derived C3N4 (ZIF67-C3N4) was synthesized and applied to the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light. Results indicated that the obtained ZIF67-C3N4 has a maximum specific surface area of 541.392 m2/g, which is much larger than that of raw C3N4 of 97.291 m2/g. The investigation of C3N4 amount involved in ZIF67-C3N4 on the photoactivity revealed that 2.57 g ZIF67 with 0.3 g C3N4, which named ZIF67-C3N4(0.3) exhibited superior photocatalytic activities. More than 90% of MB at 10 mg/L was degraded within 70 min with the addition of 0.01 g ZIF67-C3N4(0.3), while this time required for raw C3N4 was over 140 min. The effects of pH of solution, initial concentration of MB and dosage of C3N4 in ZIF67-C3N4 composites on the photocatalytic efficiency for MB degradation were also evaluated. Quenching experiments indicated that the photo-induced holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (O2−•) were mainly responsible for MB degradation. It is anticipated that the insertion of ZIF67 nanoparticles not only increases the adsorption capacity of C3N4 but also promotes the generation and migration of the photo–induced active species.