Synthesis of a novel solid mediator Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysis CuFe₂O₄/Cu/UiO-66-NH₂ for oxidation of dye in water

Metal mediator Z-scheme photocatalyst comprises three elements: two semiconductors and a sandwiched metal mediator, so the catalyst can effectively degrade pollutants using visible lights. Proper design and synthesis of Z-scheme with targeted performance has not been systematically proposed. This work proposed the protocol to design and synthesize a Z-scheme photocatalyst with targeted performance. A novel metal mediator Z-scheme photocatalyst CuFe₂O₄/Cu/UiO-66-NH₂ was used to implement the design proposal. After determining synthesis protocol from the theory, the concentrations of three reagents – glucose, L-cysteine, and precursor of UiO-66-NH₂ for synthesizing Z-scheme photocatalyst were revised to achieve successful photocatalyst. Dropwise photocatalytic tests were performed to confirm the activities of the synthesized catalysts using 0.112 mmol/mL UiO-66-NH₂ precursor, 10 mmol/mL glucose, and 1 mmol/mL L-cysteine yielded effective photocatalyst to degrade rhodamine 6G. The dye degradation tests and EPR tests confirmed the successful synthesis of the designed Z-scheme photocatalyst.