Synergetic effect of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets with metal-organic framework molding heterostructure for efficient visible- light driven photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)
Muhammad Bilal Hussain, Umair Azhar, Herman Maloko Loussala, Rameez Razaq
Abstract
The photocatalytic reduction of toxic Cr(VI), to green Cr(III) by visible light, is highly required. Metal-organic frameworks have been waged more and more devotion in the field of environmental remediation. Diversification along with functionalization is still thought-provoking and crucial for the progress of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based high activity materials. Herein, a succession of UiO-66-NH2@ZnIn2S4 composites with varying amount of UiO-66-NH2 is prepared by the facile solvothermal technique. Synergetic effect for Cr(VI) reduction is assessed under the influence of visible light (λ > 420 nm). UiO-66-NH2 octahedron is detained by ZnIn2S4 nanoflakes. The obvious enhancement in activity is observed which is credited to the well-suited energy band construction and close interaction between the interface of ZnIn2S4 and UiO-66-NH2, which leads to effective transfer and separation of photogenerated carriers. Synergistic effect could be evidently understood from the PL and UV -spectroscopy, after molding into heterostructure of UiO-66-NH2@ZnIn2S4. In addition, UiO-66-NH2@ZnIn2S4 composites exhibited good stability in photocatalytic reduction. Consequently, this UiO-66-NH2 constructed composite has high potential in the field of environmental remediation.