MOF-derived ZnO/PANI S-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic phenol mineralization coupled with H2O2 generation

Complete mineralization of persistent organic pollutants in wastewater remains a formidable challenge. Here, we report the rational design of a ZIF-8-derived ZnO/polyaniline (PANI) S-scheme heterojunction synthesized via in situ oxidative polymerization. Advanced characterizations confirm the S-scheme charge transfer mechanism within the ZnO/PANI heterojunction. The optimized composite achieves complete phenol mineralization within 60 min while concurrently generating H₂O₂ at a rate of 0.75 mmol∙L⁻¹·h⁻¹ under simulated solar irradiation. Mechanistic studies verify that the S-scheme heterojunction retains strong redox potentials, driving the formation of reactive oxygen species for H₂O₂ production and phenol degradation. This work establishes a universal design paradigm for MOF-derived inorganic/organic S-scheme heterojunctions, effectively coupling solar-driven energy conversion with environmental remediation.