Bi-metalic ZIFs(Zn-M) (M: Co, Ni) for photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants in aqueous solutions

Abstract

In this study, we successfully synthesised bi-metallic ZIF(Zn-M) of 2-methyl imidazole with a second metal (cobalt or nickel) binding to the ZIF network. All ZIF samples were synthesised at room temperature and characterised by using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, DRS, and nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms. The materials have high crystallinity with a large surface area. The materials’ photocatalytic ability was examined via the degradation of indigo carmine under a sun-light simulator. The second metal enhanced the photon harvesting ability of ZIF(Zn) because the materials can absorb photons in both UV and visible regions. Of the two catalysts, ZIF(Zn-Co) exhibited high photocatalytic ability when it removed 100% of indigo carmine from an aqueous solution. The catalyst adsorbed 45% of indigo carmine after 2 h and entirely degraded the remaining dye dring 1.5 h of solar irradiation. While Co2+ increased the catalyst’s surface area, Ni2+ reduced it, leading to lower photocatalytic efficiency.