Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac by UiO-66/MgAl-LDH: excellent performances and mechanisms†

Abstract

The expeditious augmentation of industry and economics has brought about an increase in the pollution of the aquatic environment, and as a result, there is a prerequisite to remit a pollution status of the process when exploiting new materials. The construction of functional Zr-MOF (UiO-66) materials with layered MgAl-LDH in a hydrothermal synthesis strategy named UL₃ (wt%, UiO-66 : MgAl-LDH = 1 : 3) for the highly efficient photodegradation of diclofenac (DCF) was investigated in the study reported herein. The UL₃/DCF photodegradation system under premium reaction conditions of 10 mg L⁻¹ of DCF, 0.1 g L⁻¹ of UL₃ and 25 °C reached 100% mineralization of DCF within 5 min at pH 4. Quench testing showed that dominant species in the photocatalysis was h⁺, which played synergetic roles during the degradation of DCF. Low metal ion leaching (under 0.25 mg L⁻¹) and co-existing substrates certified the high stability of UL₃ and its good resistance to co-existing substances. This study identifies a viable photocatalyst system for water purification and solar energy utilization.