Advanced Ni_x/MoS_x/MOF-2@g-C₃N₄ carbon nanostructures for the effective eradication of the Methylene blue dye

Abstract

In this research, we investigated different hybrid photocatalysts: Ni/Mo.S₂/MOF-2@g-C₃N₄, Mo.S₂/MOF-2@g-C₃N₄, Ni.S₂/MOF-2@g-C₃N₄ and Ni/Mo.S₂/MOF-2. These photocatalysts were synthesized using a solvothermal method by incorporating Ni._x/Mo.S_x, the heterojunction showed improved separation of photoinduced charges due to disparity in charge transfer. This resulted in a narrower energy band gap and excellent catalytic activity in photodegradation. The Ni/Mo.S₂/MOF-2@g-C₃N₄ heterostructure demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic efficiency, with up to 91% degradation of methylene blue (MB). This significant degradation was driven by the generation of superoxide (O₂^•) and hydroxyl (^•OH) radicals. The process adhered to pseudo-first-order kinetics and was effectively completed within 90 min of light exposure. Remarkably, the Ni/Mo.S₂/MOF-2@g-C₃N₄ heterostructure displayed excellent stability, with only minimal performance degradation observed after five consecutive cycles. These results underscore the superior stability of the heterostructure. In summary, our research confirms that the Ni/Mo.S₂/MOF-2@g-C₃N₄ heterojunction photocatalyst is a highly efficient material for the effective removal of methylene blue dye.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• MOF
• g-C₃N₄
• heterojunction
• transition metals compounds
• degradation of dyes
• methylene blue

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the Ph.D. Analytical Lab at the Institute of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, for their generous provision of analytical and experimental support.The authors also extend their appreciation to Taif University, Saudi Arabia for supporting this work through project number (TU-DSPP-2024-76).

Authors’ contributions

Aqsa Anum: Investigation, formal analysis, writing the initial draft. Muhammad Altaf Nazir: Conceptualization, data curation, software, resources, writing, review & editing. Syed Shoaib Ahmad Shah and Ashraf Y. Elnaggar: Data curation, visualization, data interpretation, writing, review & editing. M.H.H. Mahmoud and Salah M. El-Bahy: ssCharacterizations, data interpretation, resources, writing, review & editing. Muhammad Ahmad Wattoo and Misbah Malik: Data curation, formal analysis, visualization, writing, review & editing. Aziz ur Rehman: Project management, funding, resources, writing, review & editing, supervision.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia (TU-DSPP-2024-76).