Synthesis of a UiO-66/g-C₃N₄ composite using terephthalic acid obtained from waste plastic for the photocatalytic degradation of the chemical warfare agent simulant, methyl paraoxon.

ABSTRACT: In our study, Zr-based UiO-66 (Zr) was synthesized using terephthalic acid obtained from waste plastic. Thereafter, UiO-66/g-C₃N₄ composites were prepared by the solvothermal method, and their photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of the chemical warfare agent simulant, dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP), was evaluated. The as-synthesized UiO-66/g-C₃N₄ exhibited a high surface area (1440 m² g^-1) and a high capillary volume (1.49 cm³ g^-1). The UiO-66/g-C₃N₄ samples absorbed a visible light band with bandgap energies of 2.13-2.88 eV. The as-synthesized UiO-66/g-C₃N₄ composites exhibited highly efficient degradation of DMNP with a short half-life (t _1/2 of 2.17 min) at pH 7 under visible light irradiation. The trapping experiments confirmed that the h⁺ and ˙O₂ ^- radicals played an important role in the photocatalytic degradation of DMNP. The UiO-66/g-C₃N₄ catalyst simultaneously performed two processes: the hydrolysis and photocatalytic oxidation of DMNP in water. During irradiation, a p-n heterojunction between UiO-66 and g-C₃N₄ restricted the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, resulting in the enhancement in the degradation rate of DMNP.

SUBMITTER: Van Le D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9364156 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature