Enhanced Adsorption–Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants via a ZIF-67-Derived Co–N Codoped Carbon Matrix Catalyst

Stable and efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants has been achieved via a ZIF-67-derived Co-embedded N-doped nanoporous carbon material catalyst (Co–N/C). The catalyst features a well-distributed structure, suitable specific surface area, and more active sites according to the various characterization analyses. The photocatalytic activity of Co–N/C was evaluated by the degradation of the target pollutant Rhodamine B (RhB). As a result, RhB could establish an adsorption–desorption equilibrium in the dark within 30 min and was thoroughly degraded into H2O and CO2 by Co–N/C under 500 W visible light irradiation in 40 min. Moreover, radical-quenching experiments and reactive oxygen species monitoring were performed to further probe the plausible photodegradation mechanism of RhB. Co–N/C is also appropriate for other alternative dyes and antibiotics affording ideal removal efficiencies. After the reaction, Co–N/C could be facilely separated by an external magnetic field and reused for eight reaction cycles without obvious deactivation of its photocatalytic properties. This study is expected to provide an instructive guideline for the design of efficient and recyclable composite photocatalysts derived from metal–organic frameworks for a broad range of environmental remediation processes.