Photodegradation of Polyethersulfone (PES), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Microplastics via a Metal Organic Framework Namely ZIF-8/ZnO/C

Abstract

The aim of this study was to photodegrade the Polyethersulfone (PES), Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microplastics using Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8/Zinc oxide/Carbon (ZIF-8/ZnO/C) nanocomposite generated under laboratory conditions. The produced nanocomposite was analysed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Photo Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectra (DRS) and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) analyses. The maximum PES, PVDF and PPMA photodegradation yields were 99%, 98%, and 96%, respectively, at 1 mg/l ZIF-8/ZnO/C nanocomposites (NCs) concentration, 1000 mg/l microplastics concentration, at pH = 10.0, at a temperature and photodegradation time of 40°C and 20 min, under oxic conditions at a sunlight intensity of 80 W/m<sup>2</sup> and a photon yield of 16. The XRD analysis showed the generation of ZIF-8/ZnO/C, while the FTIR analysis indicated the ZnO, C, and ZIF-8.