Synthesis of Surface-Bound ZIF-8 Layers on Titania for the Photodegradation of Tetracycline
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/jomalisc.v4.109Keywords:
Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8, TItania, Tetracycline, photocatalyst, photodegradationAbstract
Tetracycline’s presence in water systems poses significant environmental and public health concerns due to extensive pharmaceutical discharges. Accordingly, considerable research efforts have been directed toward developing efficient catalytic systems for the photodegradation and removal of tetracycline from contaminated water. Thus, in this work, a series of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8/titania (ZIF-8/TiO2) composites were synthesized with varied precursor concentrations of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2·6H2O) and 2-methylimidazole (C4H6N2). The precursor ratios were adjusted to control the growth and distribution of ZIF-8 on TiO2, thereby tuning its physicochemical properties and photocatalytic performance. The prepared samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of ZIF-8, reduced bandgap energies (down to 3.07 eV), and mixed anatase-rutile phases. Using tetracycline as the target pollutant, the UV light photoactivity of the ZIF-8/TiO2 composites was evaluated. Compared with commercial TiO2, the composite prepared with 0.5 mM Zn(NO3)2.6H2O and 4.0 mM C4H6N2 (ZIF-8/TiO2 (0.5,4.0)) exhibited enhanced photoactivity for tetracycline degradation (91.01%). These properties, including the high tetracycline photodegradation ability, make the ZIF-8/TiO2 (0.5,4.0) photocatalyst a promising material for practical water treatment applications.
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