Integration of high visible-light-driven ternary dual Z-scheme AgVO3-InVO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction nanocomposite for enhanced uranium(VI) photoreduction separation

With deepening application of nuclear power technology, the problem of water ecological environment pollution caused by uranium (U(VI)) is becoming increasingly serious. Photoreduction separation of U(VI) on photocatalysts is considered as an effective strategy to solve uranium pollution. In this work, a novel ternary dual Z-scheme AgVO3-InVO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction (Z-AIGH) nanocomposite with high surface area (73.45 m2 g−1, Z-AIGH2) was designed. The batch adsorption experiment in dark environment showed that Z-AIGH2 nanocomposite had an excellent U(VI) adsorption performance. As for photocatalytic experiments, Z-AIGH2 exhibited a rapid photocatalytic response for separating U(VI) without any organic sacrifice agents. The U(VI) separation rate on Z-AIGH2 nanocomposite was over 98.7% after only 20.0 min visible light irradiation (T = 298 K, CU(Ⅵ) = 10.0 mg L−1, m/V = 0.1 g L−1 and pH = 7.0). Z-AIGH2 nanocomposite also showed good selectivity and cycle stability. The U(VI) removal rate of Z-AIGH2 nanocomposite after fifth cycles was about 96.1% (T = 298 K, CU(Ⅵ) = 10.0 mg L−1, m/V = 0.1 g L−1 and pH = 7.0). High photocatalytic activity of Z-AIGH2 for U(VI) was attributed to the construction of ternary dual Z-scheme heterojunction structure and ant nest-like hole structure. Based on above results, Z-AIGH2 nanocomposite had great potential for water environment renovation.