Chitosan/carbon dots modified cellulose nanofibrils/ZIF-8 gel bead: An effective and easily separable photocatalytic adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal

•We synthesized a photocatalytic adsorbent named CCCZ for effective Cr(VI) removal.•CCCZ exhibited efficient regenerative capacity and sustained long-term stability.•CCCZ showed exceptional adsorption and photocatalytic performance towards Cr(VI).•Theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of CCCZ for Cr(VI) reached 500.08 mg/g.•The apparent rate constant of CCCZ was 0.1150 min−1, surpassing that of ZIF-8.