Improved Adsorption Capacity and Photoactivity of ZnO-ZIF-8 Nanocomposites

Abstract

ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C nanocomposite is synthesized by combining of ZnO with ZIF-8via facile route. The structural properties of ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C are compared with the bare ZnO, ZIF-8 and ZIF-8 300 °C using various analytical methods. XRD analysis and FTIR spectroscopy confirm the successful growth of ZnO in the nanocomposite. ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C shows a mesoporous structure. SEM (EDX) and XPS verify formation of ZnO on the surface of ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C. The characteristic ZnO edge is noticed in the UV-Vis DRS spectrum of ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C. The adsorption capacities and photocatalytic activities of ZnO, ZIF-8, ZIF-8 300 °C and ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C are examined in the presence of methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB).The enhanced adsorption ability and photoactivity of ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °Care mainly attributed to high surface area and porous structure inherited from ZIF-8. The activity of ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C is also investigated under 40%, 67% and 84% relative humidity (RH) conditions. The highest performance is obtained in the presence of ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C (84% RH) owing to formation of more hydroxyl radicals.ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C and ZnO-ZIF-8 300 °C (84% RH) show also good stability, hence they can be proposed as potential photocatalysts for environmental applications.