A rational design of g-CN-based ternary composite for highly efficient H generation and 2,4-DCP degradation.

In this work, g-CN based ternary composite (CeO/CN/NH-MIL-101(Fe)) has been fabricated via hydrothermal and wet-chemical methods. The composite showed superior photoactivities for HO reduction to produce H and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation. The amount of H evolved over the composite under visible and UV-visible irradiations is 147.4 µmol·g·h and 556.2 µmol·g·h, respectively. Further, the photocatalyst degraded 87% of 2,4-DCP in 2 hrs under visible light irradiations. The improved photoactivities are accredited to the synergistic-effects caused by the proper band alignment with close interfacial contact of the three components that significantly promoted charge transfer and separation. The 2,4-DCP degradation over the composite is dominated by OH radical rather than h and O as investigated by scavenger trapping experiments. This is further supported by the electron para-magnetic resonance (EPR) study. This work provides new directions for the development of g-CN based highly efficient ternary composite materials for clean energy generation and pollution control.