Construction of heterogeneous structures of MIL-101(Fe)/Ce/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

A heterostructured MIL-101(Fe)/Ce/g-C3N4 (MCCN) composite was designed and synthesized by solvothermal method. The composite was characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, FT-IR, BET, XPS, UV–Vis DRS, PL and EIS. The MCCN photocatalyst exhibits superior photocatalytic performance for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB), and the efficiencies are found to be 90.36% and 88.17%, respectively. The kinetic constants k of MCCN-3 against RhB and MB dyes are 0.04094 min−1 and 0.03319 min−1, respectively, under visible light for 75 ​min irradiation. The improved degradation efficiency of MCCN attributed to the enhanced light absorption and the transport channels of electron-hole pairs by forming a heterojunction between MIL-101(Fe) and Ce/g-C3N4 with a favourable band position. Moreover, the possible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of dyes was proposed though free radical trapping experiments. This work provides an effective way for constructing novel visible-light-driven photocatalyst in the removal of organic molecules from waste water. A class of MIL-101(Fe)/Ce/g-C3N4 heterogeneous composite was prepared by a simple solvothermal method. These composites can be used as efficient photocatalysts to remove dye contaminants in water environment. [Display omitted] •A heterostructured MCCN composites has been prepared by solvothermal method.•The MCCN catalyst exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity for RhB and MB degradation.•Light absorption and transport of electron-hole pairs are the keys to photocatalysis.•This work provides a new strategy for the design of MOFs series photocatalysts.