ZIF-8 templated assembly of La3+-anchored ZnO distorted nano-hexagons as an efficient active photocatalyst for the detoxification of rhodamine B in water

K. Karuppasamy, Iqra Rabani, Dhanasekaran Vikraman, Chinna Bathula, J. Theerthagiri, Ranjith Bose, Chang Joo Yim, A. Kathalingam, Young Soo Seo, Hyun Seok Kim

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    39 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The use of lanthanum-anchored zinc oxide distorted hexagon (La@ZnO DH) nanoclusters as an active material for the photodegradation of rhodamine B (Rh–B) dye via hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, and π-π interactions is examined herein. The active photocatalyst is derived from porous zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIF-8) via a combined ultrasonication and calcination process. The distorted hexagon nanocluster morphology with controlled surface area is shown to provide excellent catalytic activity, chemical stability and demarcated pore volume. In addition, the low bandgap (3.57 eV) of La@ZnO DH is shown to expand the degradation of Rh–B under irradiation of UV light as compared to the pristine ZIF-8-derived ZnO photocatalyst due to inhibited recombination of electrons and holes. The outstanding physicochemical stability and enhanced performance of La@ZnO DH could be ascribed to the synergistic interaction among La3+ particles and the ZnO nanoclusters and provide a route for their utilization as a promising catalyst for the detoxification of Rh–B.

    Original languageBritish English
    Article number116018
    JournalEnvironmental Pollution
    Volume272
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 Mar 2021

    Keywords

    • Detoxification
    • Distorted hexagon
    • Rare earth metal
    • UV irradiation
    • ZIF-8

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