Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of the AgI/UiO-66(Zr) Composite for RhodamineB Degradation under Visible-Light Irradiation

Visible-light photocatalysts that degrade organic pollutants in an efficient and recyclable way are highly desirable for water treatment. In this study, UiO-66, a zirconium-based metal-organic framework, was conjugated with AgI to obtain a composite for use as photocatalyst. The AgI/UiO-66 composites with different composition ratios were synthesized by a simple solution method and exhibited remarkable activity for the degradation of rhodamineB (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the outstanding structural stability of the AgI/UiO-66 photocatalysts. The photocatalytic stability of the AgI/UiO-66 composite was further examined by reusing AgI/UiO-66 for long-term dye degradation. The good stability of the AgI/UiO-66 composite can be attributed to the outstanding stability of the UiO-66 framework material, as well as the good interaction between AgI and the UiO-66 framework. The mechanism of the photocatalytic RhB degradation by AgI/UiO-66 was investigated by introducing different scavengers to compete for the possible reactive species involved in the degradation process.