Direct Z-scheme system of UiO-66 cubes wrapped with Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S nanoparticles for photocatalytic hydrogen generation synchronized with organic pollutant degradation

Optimized fabrication of Z-scheme photocatalyst based on MOF materials offers sustainable energy generation and environmental improvement due to their attractive properties. The Z-scheme heterojunctions consisting of UiO-66 cubes covered with Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S nanoparticles were fabricated by a facile solvothermal method. Thanks to the Z-scheme carrier transport under simulated sunlight irradiation, UiO-66@Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance of H₂ generation synchronized with organic pollutant degradation in fluoroquinolone antibiotic wastewater. Synergistically, the highest comprehensive performance was obtained in ciprofloxacin solution. The H₂ yield reached 224 μmol∙ g^-1∙ h^-1 and simultaneously the removal efficiency was up to 83.6 %. The degradation pathways revealed that the process of piperazine ring cleavage and decarboxylation also generates H protons, further promoting the production of H₂. Therefore, the effective spatial separation and transfer of the photoinduced carriers are attributed to the good band structure, large specific surface area, and cooperative reduction and oxidation reactions of UiO-66@Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S, resulting in significant photocatalytic activity. The toxicity assessment of antibiotics and intermediate products during the photocatalytic reaction also verifies the reduction of environmental risk. This study highlights a promising way to expand the application of the MOFs-based photocatalyst in clean energy conversion coupling with water remediation.