High-entropy metal-organic frameworks of ZnxCo1-xZIFs-8 functionalized gold nanoparticle for environmental remediation aiming

• Preparation and application of High-entropy metal-organic frameworks of ZnxCo1-xZIFs-8 functionalized gold nanoparticle. • HE-MOFs of ZnxCo1-xZIFs-8 functionalized AuNPs for environmental remediation aiming. • ZnxCo1-xZIFs-8 frameworks has synergic effect with the Au NPs, as HE-MOFs, for 4-Nitrophenol reduction. Investigating the potential of multifunctional MOFs is critical to their widespread practical applications. Here, a series of mixed metallic ZnCo-based ZIFs (Zn x Co 1-x -ZIFs) are prepared via the incubation method, and an impregnation method was used for the stabilization of Au NPs into their pores. The performance of the prepared ZIFs is evaluated toward catalytic 4-nitrophenol reduction to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH 4 . Instrumental analysis techniques were employed for the characterization of the synthesized mixed and monometallic ZIFs, which show almost identical properties in some cases and distinctive properties in some other cases. The TEM and SEM analysis for the Au NPs impregnated samples indicated that the proposed method resulted in monodispersity of the Au NPs into the pores of the ZIFs, and no sign of aggregation on the surface of the ZIFs was observed. The study on the catalytic performance of the employed materials for the NaBH 4 activation indicated that the Co content of the ZIFs plays a determining role in the material's performance. Higher Co content resulted in higher NaBH 4 activation and faster kinetics of the reaction, which highlights the synergic effect between the Au NPs and the metal centers of the ZIFs. This study prepared a survey of the role of the metal centers in bimetallic ZnCo ZIFs and their synergic effect with the Au NPs for 4-Nitrophenol reduction.