MOFs Derived Hetero-ZnO/Fe2O3 Nanoflowers with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance towards Efficient Degradation of Organic Dyes

Abstract

It is still a challenge for wastewater treatment to develop efficient yet low-cost photocatalysts on a large scale. Herein, a facile yet efficient method was devised to successfully synthesize ZnO/Fe2O3 nanoflowers (NFs) by using metal organic framework ZIF-8 as the precursor. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared hetero-ZnO/Fe2O3 NFs are purposefully evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation. The resulting ZnO/Fe2O3 NFs display even higher photocatalytic activities than those of single-phase ZnO and Fe2O3 as a photocatalyst for the degradation of both MB ad MO. Particularly, nearly 100% MB can be photocatalytically degraded in 90 min under UV light irradiation using the hetero-NFs photocatalyst. The enhanced photocatalytic properties are probably ascribed to the synergistic contributions from the suitable band alignment of ZnO and Fe2O3, large surface area, and strong light absorption property. Radical scavenger experiments prove that the photogenerated holes, ·OH and ·O2-, play key roles in photocatalytic degradation process of organic dyes. Accordingly, the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of hetero-ZnO/Fe2O3 NFs towards dyes is tentatively proposed. The work contributes an effective way to rationally design and fabricate advanced photocatalysts with heterojunction structures for photocatalytic applications.

One-step removal of hexavalent chromium in wide pH range using thiourea dioxide: the role of reactive species

“…It might be explained by the fact that the Cr–TD complex was efficiently decomposed by O 2 ˙ − radical. 38–40 In other words, the generation of Cr(OH) 3 precipitates was inhibited in the absence of O 2 ˙ − radical, resulting in the decrease of the removal of total Cr. Meanwhile, the precipitates of Cr(OH) 3 was also obviously suppressed with adding β-carotene as a quench agent for 1 O 2 , 41 which proved that 1 O 2 also promoted the decomposition of Cr–TD complex to a great extent.…”

Ceramic ZnO-SnO2-Fe2O3 Powders and Coatings -Effective Photogenerators of Reactive Oxygen Species

“…Photocatalytic materials are used in many different practical applications (water and air purification, sensors, water splitting, etc.) and are the object of intensive investigations [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Many oxide semiconductor materials are effective photocatalysts, demonstrate antibacterial activity and have an excellent thermal stability and chemical durability.…”

“…Ceramic materials (powders and coatings) based on ZnO are very effective photocatalysts [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] which have been successfully tested in industrial conditions [1]. Modification of the ZnO ceramic materials using other oxides additions provides a significant enhancement to its photocatalytic and bactericidal characteristics [3][4][5][6][7][8]. These additions decrease the size of ZnO crystals, modify the crystal structure and morphology of the ZnO ceramic materials and increase their specific surface areas.…”

“…Chemical composition, structure and morphology of photocatalysts determine the spectral diapason of the light which can excite a semiconductor material, its specific surface area, adsorption properties and photocatalytic activity. It was found [2,[6][7][8][9] that materials consisting of semiconductor nanoparticles with specific shapes, such as nanorods, nanowires and "flowers", exhibit high photocatalytic properties.…”

Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of Br-Doped BiOCl Nanosheets with Rich Oxygen Vacancies and Dominating {001} Facets

“…Water pollution has become a crucial issue as a result of excessive emissions of various organic pollutants that seriously impede the existence and development of humanity [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Therefore, to address the issue of water contamination, effective and environmentally friendly technology must be developed.…”