Decoration of ZnFe2O4 and UiO-66 over g-C3N4 as magnetically novel reusable visible light photocatalyst for degradation of Rh–B

Abstract

In this research, a unique nanohybrid ternary g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4/UiO-66 (g-C3N4/ZnF/UiO) was successfully prepared applying a hydrothermal synthesis technique. The characteristic properties of the prepared nanocomposite were specified using different characterization methods such as FT-IR, XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM, VSM, GTA, DRS, and BET analysis. The use of zirconium-based (UiO-66) as metal-organic framework has resulted in an expansion in the total surface area of photocatalyst compared to the pure g-C3N4 sample, which has a significant effect on improving Rhodamine B (Rh–B) dye degradation. Maximum efficiency of photocatalytic achievement of the prepared g-C3N4/ZnF/UiO for photodegradation of Rh–B was obtained by using 10 wt% of UiO-66 expose to visible light irradiation for 60 min. The detailed analysis of the structural and degradation outcomes confirmed that the amended photocatalytic degradation performance could be credited to the extremely impressive spatial separation of the charge carriers between suggested materials. The results are also shown that the magnetic property of the synthesized nanocomposites to be enough and useful for separation and collection of the photocatalyst. The nanohybrid ternary can be good recyclability reused for sixth runs without apparent loss of its photocatalytic performance in degrading Rh–B pollutant. Consequently, the ternary g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4/UiO-66 (g-C3N4/ZnF-UiO) prepared nanocomposite can be a favorable replacement for the treatment of dye pollutants in wastewater.