A dual-functional Zn(II) coordination polymer for detection of Cr(VI) and photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution

•CP-1 features a 3D supramolecular network through C-H···Cl intermolecular hydrogen bonding.•CP-1 shows good selectivity, sensitivity, and recyclability in detecting CrO42· and Cr2O72· in water.•CP-1 can also effectively degrade dye contaminant (RhB) under UV light irradiation and with good recyclability. Herein, a new kind of zinc(II)-coordination polymer (CP-1) was constructed and structurally characterized. CP-1 features a 1D zigzag chain structure, and the 1D framework forms a 3D supramolecular network through intermolecular hydrogen bonding of C-H···Cl. It is worth mentioning that CP-1 can serve as a dual-functional material. First of all, It shows good selectivity, high sensitivity, and good recyclability in sensing CrO42· and Cr2O72· anions in aqueous solution through luminescence quenching effect. The high quenching efficiency can be attributed to the competitive absorption and the energy transfer. Meanwhile, it also exhibits high photocatalytic efficiency for the degradation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution under the irradiation of UV light, and the possible mechanism is also discussed.