Synthesis and characterization of metal organic framework-based photocatalyst and membrane for carbon dioxide conversion

Abstract

The present work is an approach to study the photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methanol by using a novel MOF-based catalyst. A copper-based metal organic framework called Cu3BTC2 where (BTC = benzene-1, 3, 5-tricarboxylate) was synthesized successfully by solvothermal and co-ordination modulation method. The MOF thus obtained exhibited a large surface area. It was further utilized as one of the reactants for the synthesis of an MOF-based photocatalyst containing TiO2. This photocatalyst, TiO2@Cu3BTC2, was obtained by the hydrolysis of Titanium (IV) isopropoxide under solvothermal conditions. The prepared MOF was then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. It was noted that TiO2@Cu3BTC2 exhibits strong photocatalytic activity in comparison with TiO2 nanoparticles and this modified form of the photocatalyst could be used in the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol using visible light as a source of irradiation. Additionally, an MOF-based membrane was synthesized using soil and first dip coating procedure. After characterization of the membrane, it was observed that the nucleation density of MOF directly on a clay-based support was very low. Treatment of membrane with alumina could increase the coverage of MOF particles as it would provide a better-activated surface.