Sensitizer created defective metal organic framework as a new platform for boosting visible-light photocatalysis of g-C₃N₄

We developed herein for the first time a sensitizer created defective MOF (SCD-MOF), simultaneously possessing sensitizers and defects as visible-light harvester and electron trapper, respectively, which can synergistically improve the visible-light photocatalysis of polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). Based on this discovery, the resulting 5.0 wt% FeTCPP⊂UiO-66@g-C₃N₄ shows a significant 6.6 and 3.9 times improvement in catalytic efficiency compared with its parent materials of FeTCPP⊂UiO-66 and g-C₃N₄ in degrading organic pollutants. Moreover, it shows a 10.4 times enhancement in catalytic efficiency compared with commercial TiO₂ (P25). Mechanism studies suggest that sensitizer molecules and defects in SCD-MOF can synergistically improve photocatalytic efficiency because of broadening the visible-light response and strengthening the charge carrier separation. This work illustrates a remarkably triple synergetic effect among visible-light harvester, electron/hole separator, and semiconductor and thus established SCD-MOF as a class of new platform to greatly improve the visible-light photocatalytic performance of conventional semiconductors.