Excellent photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B over Bi2O3 supported on Zn-MOF nanocomposites under visible light

Abstract In this article, Bi2O3@Zn-MOF hybrid nanomaterials were synthesized by supporting Zn-based metal–organic framework (Zn-MOF) through the hydrothermal method. X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, N2 physisorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-Vis were used to characterize the physical and chemical properties of Bi2O3@Zn-MOF nanomaterials. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared hybrid has been studied over the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). A catalytic activity of 97.2% was achieved using Bi2O3@Zn-MOF nanocomposite with the loading of 0.18 g Bi2O3, after 90 min of exposure to visible light irradiation, and the high photocatalytic performance was mainly associated with the nanorod structures, larger pore size, and broaden visible light absorption region due to the synergistic effect of the constituting materials. Furthermore, the Bi2O3@Zn-MOF nanocomposite can be reused three times and the degradation rate of RhB was maintained at 77.9%. Thus, the Bi2O3@Zn-MOF nanocomposite can act as a potential photocatalyst for the photodegradation of organic dyes in environmental applications.