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The photocatalyst technology based on silver phosphate (Ag 3 PO 4) has excellent oxidation ability in the degradation of antibiotic pollutants due to its appropriate energy band structure. However, the high charge recombination efficiency limits the wide application of Ag 3 PO 4. In this study, carbon nanosheets doped with both N and B (NBNS) have excellent charge distribution. The photoactivity of Ag 3 PO 4 was optimized by combining NBNS. After 12 min, Ag 3 PO 4 @NBNS achieved 100% degradation of norfloxacin (NOR), 8.6 times the degradation rate of Ag 3 PO 4 monomer. In addition, NBNS, Ag 3 PO 4 and Ag 3 PO 4 @NBNS were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman and XPS. It revealed that there was an intense interface interaction between Ag 3 PO 4 and NBNS, and a built-in electric field (BIEF) was constructed at the interface to achieve rapid separation of photogenerated charges. The DFT calculations results indicated that the doping of B and N could reduce the work function of carbon nanosheets and increase their charge density, which would promote the formation of BIEF between the interface of Ag 3 PO 4 and NBNS. The catalytic reaction mechanism of Ag 3 PO 4 @NBNS was proposed. This work provides a novel photocatalyst for the efficient removal of antibiotics, and sheds light on the use of carbon materials to optimize silver phosphate based photocatalyst, as well as the design of new efficient visible light catalysts. • B and N co-doped carbon nanosheets (NBNS) with excellent charge distribution were synthesized. • Novel photocatalysts of Ag 3 PO 4 @NBNS were successfully prepared. • The Ag 3 PO 4 @NBNS could completely degrade OTC in 12 min at a rate constant of 0.58 min−1. • Built-in electric field contributed to the excellent photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The photocatalytic mechanism of Zr-MOFs with different photo active ligands. • Post synthesis modification of Zr-MOF based photocatalysts. • The heterogeneous photocatalytic systems based on Zr-MOFs. • Application, mechanism, and prospect of Zr-MOF based photocatalysts. Recently, Zirconium (Zr) based metal organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) materials have gathered increasing interest in the field of photocatalysis. Zr-MOFs not only have the large surface area, orderly porous structure, and tunable organic bridging linker/metal clusters as other MOFs, but also possess higher thermal stability and excellent water-tolerant than most of other MOFs. In this review, the Zr-MOFs with excellent photocatalytic properties reported in recent years are reviewed. Moreover, the strategies of improving the photocatalytic activity of Zr-MOFs and their applications in water splitting for hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction, removal of organic pollutants and Cr(Ⅵ) reduction are discussed, in addition, the mechanisms of these processes are also described in detail. Finally, the future developments and challenges of Zr-MOFs photocatalyst are also prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Melamine self-assembly can adjust the shape and structure of the material. • Melamine self-assembly is an effective measure to synthesize high-performance g-C 3 N 4 -based materials. • The type, mechanism, influencing factors and recent advances of self-assembly are highlighted. • Provides guidance for scientific researchers to develop and design high-performance g-C 3 N 4 -based materials. The increasing pollution of the environment and the depletion of energy are currently facing and urgently need to be resolved. In recent years, various technologies have been exploited to try to solve these problems. Researchers are mainly committed to developing high-performance materials. This review discusses the construction of ordered graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4)-based materials by melamine self-assembly. Firstly, the self-assembly types, corresponding synthesis strategies, characteristics and recent advances are reviewed from the perspectives of material source and product shape. Meanwhile, the effects of molecular structure, solution environment, synthesis methods and the presence of other substances on the self-assembly behavior are also discussed. In addition, we present the synthesis mechanisms from multiple sides. Finally, the applications in environment and energy are summarized, and the future research directions are also proposed. This review provides new insights into the design and construction of high-performance ordered g-C 3 N 4 -based materials for environment and energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]