AgI/UiO-66-NH2@carbonized wood fabricated as self-floating heterojunction for enhancing visible light-driving photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

The conveniently recoverable photocatalyst with self-floating and photothermal performance has attracted considerable attention. Herein, AgI/UiO-66-NH₂ was anchored on carbonized wood (CW) via a facile solvothermal and ion exchange deposition process. The catalytic properties and performance of the fabricated heterojunction were systematically characterized. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed AgI/UiO-66-NH₂ was anchored on CW surface. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the shift of Zr 3d and Ag 3d, proving the heterojunction formation of samples. The heterojunction exhibited the strong UV adsorption peaks between 400 and 800 nm. The infrared photothermal analysis showed the heterojunction (41.2 °C) can adsorb more heat than AgI/UiO-66-NH₂ (31.2 °C) within 15 min visible light irradiation. As the floating carrier, CW enhanced the adsorption and utilization of sunlight. More than 96% of Rh B were degraded within 150 min with irradiation when the heterojunction was applied, and above 85% degradation rate were preserved after 6 cycling recycles, confirming its outstanding stability. Conclusively, this study paved a new pathway for fabricating the potential of easy recyclability and high stability of AgI/UiO-66-NH₂ @CW from biomass for wastewater treatment.