The double heterostructure photocatalyst MoS2@ZIF-67/TiO2: Triumphant modification of TiO2 and efficient removal of Karenia mikimotoi

Water eutrophication led to the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) with the increase of urban sewage and industrial wastewater. As a periodic ecological disaster, it caused serious harm to the ecological environment (including the destruction of the food chain and the death of animals, etc.) and human health. Karenia mikimotoi (K. mikimotoi) was a kind of common algae that caused red tides, and it could produce harmful toxins. Therefore, a composite photocatalyst MoS2@ZIF-67/TiO2 (MZ/T) for the inactivation of K. mikimotoi was synthesized by a simple and easy-to-operate hydrothermal synthesis method. The MoS2@ZIF-67 nanoflowers were attached by the grainy TiO2. The composite photocatalyst MZ/T showed excellent photocatalytic performance, and the inactivation efficiency of MZ/T was up to 97.2 % in 4 h and 99.45 % in 12 h. The composite photocatalyst MZ/T could inactivate algal cells by destroying cell membrane structure, reducing chlorophyll content, soluble protein content. This study would provide a novel photocatalyst for water treatment of HABs.