Simultaneously uranium removal and electricity generation by a self-driven photocatalytic fuel cell system based on UiO-66/CF cathode

Photoelectrocatalytic extraction of U(VI) from aqueous solution is an effective strategy to solve environmental pollution and uranium resource shortage. Here, a self-driven photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) system is proposed by using an UiO-66-modified CF (UiO-66/CF) as photocathode , and an integrated photoanode consisting of a praevia Fe-doped BiVO 4 and a post Si photovoltaic cell , for effectively U(VI) removal and simultaneous electricity generation. The modification of UiO-66 significantly enhances the active sites and the electronegativity of the cathode, thereby facilitating the adsorption and removal of U(VI). In addition, the –COOH in UiO-66 can act as the Lewis hard base sites to enhance the adsorption of the UO 2 2+ , which functions as a Lewis hard acid. Under simulated sunlight exposure, the self-driven PFC system removed nearly 100 % of uranium within 30 min, simultaneously generating an electricity output of 0.2 mW cm −2 . This study proposed a new method and pathway for resource treatment of uranium containing wastewater, and provided a meaningful insight for MOFs to design high-activity reduction cathode materials .