A nanoporous metal organic framework/GO hybrid for photodegradation under visible light

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise for photocatalytic applications; however, they encounter challenges related to stability and conductivity. Researchers are prioritizing the development of composite materials, specifically through the integration of Graphene oxide (GO) with MOFs, to enhance their performance and address these limitations. In this investigation, GO was synthesized via the Staudenmeier method. The metal-organic framework, designated as MOF-199(Cu), was synthesized using the wet impregnation method at ambient temperature, employing copper (II) acetate monohydrate as the copper precursor and benzene tricarboxylic acid as the linker. The MOF-199/GO nanocomposite was subsequently prepared using the hydrothermal method at room temperature. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite was systematically evaluated by assessing its ability to degrade rhodamine B (RhB) as a cationic dye, under visible light irradiation. Characterization of the synthesized materials was conducted using various spectroscopy techniques. SEM and TEM images confirmed the presence of well-dispersed and isolated forms of MOF-199 particles on the GO substrate. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the structures of GO and MOF-199 in the nanocomposite have not changed. The DRS results indicated that the MOF-199/GO nanocomposite is a promising photocatalyst for the degradation of RhB when subjected to visible light irradiation. With the incorporation of GO, the MOF-199/GO nanocomposite with GO content of 10 wt% exhibited enhanced degradation of RhB dye compared to MOF or GO individually. The superior photocatalytic performance of the composite was attributed to the synergistic effects resulting from the MOF-199 structure. Furthermore, the MOF-199/GO photocatalyst demonstrated remarkable stability, showing no significant loss of photocatalytic activity over five cycles, suggesting its potential for repeated use in photocatalytic applications.