Fabrication of Ag-Doped ZnO Photocatalysts Derived From MIL-125(Zn) With Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely used in various fields, including gas storage, separation, sensors, and catalysis, owing to their excellent performance. In this study, a zinc-based MOF [MIL-125(Zn)] was successfully synthesized using the solvothermal method, and Ag-doped ZnO (Ag/ZnO...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaobing Yang, Xiangrui Yang, Shichao Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Energy Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.949551/full
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Summary:Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely used in various fields, including gas storage, separation, sensors, and catalysis, owing to their excellent performance. In this study, a zinc-based MOF [MIL-125(Zn)] was successfully synthesized using the solvothermal method, and Ag-doped ZnO (Ag/ZnO) was prepared by pyrolyzing Ag/MIL-125(Zn). The fabricated Ag/ZnO was used as a photocatalyst for rhodamine (RhB) degradation. Results showed that the MIL-125(Zn) derived from Ag/ZnO exhibits superior photocatalytic activity. It can degrade 99.4% of RhB under 20-min ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, higher than those achieved using ZnO (73.2%) and MIL-125(ZnO) (19.6%). Furthermore, Ag/ZnO shows excellent stability. After four photocatalytic degradation cycles, the photocatalytic activity of Ag/ZnO reduces by only 3.6%. The excellent photocatalytic performance of Ag/ZnO may be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag nanoparticles and ZnO. The possible photocatalytic mechanism of RhB degradation on the Ag/ZnO photocatalyst under UV light irradiation was proposed.
ISSN:2296-598X