Synthesis of novel HKUST-1-based SnO2 porous nanocomposite with the photocatalytic capability for degradation of metronidazole

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline microporous materials that show catalytic activity when used as hosts. Nanostructured materials supported by MOFs show increased catalytic activity and stability. Several steps or templates are vital in the synthesis of MOF composites. However, developing effective and simple MOF synthesis approaches remains challenging. In this study, a simple one-step reaction is described for preparing Nanosized Stannic (II) oxide particles in MOF composites, called nanosized SnO2/MOF-199 (HKUST-1). The SnO2/MOF-199 (30 wt%) exhibited the best degradation efficiency of metronidazole (MZ), SnO2/MOF-199 (5 wt%), SnO2/MOF-199 (10 wt%), SnO2/MOF-199 (20 wt%), and SnO2/MOF-199 (40 wt%). The photocatalyst used in this work is a novel nanocomposite-based compound. The nanocomposite was characterized using SEM, EDX, TEM, XRD, FT-IR, BET, and TG-DTG techniques. Also, PL and DRS analyses were used for the optical-property study of the photocatalyst. Afterward, the synthesized nanocomposite was used for metronidazole (MZ) degradation. The result showed that pH of the solution, irradiation time, time-CMZ interactions, and time-pH interactions remain highly significant in MZ degradation. The most suitable degradation extent was acquired at pH = 3, catalyst dosage = 2 g/L, MZ = 40 mg/L, and irradiation time of 240 min. Between type II-heterojunction and Z-scheme mechanisms, the second case showed the most significant role in MZ photodegradation.