Design of ZnO/CuO Nanocomposite Derived From Metal‐Organic Framework with High‐Performance Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract In this work, a novel ZnO/CuO nanocomposite derived from a metal‐organic framework (MOF) with the same morphology was synthesized via the calcination of Cu 2 O/Zn‐TMU‐17‐NH 2 nanocomposite. The embedded Cu 2 O nanoparticles within the MOF promoted the formation of mixed‐semiconductor metal oxides during the calcination process. The ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was fully characterized using FTIR, PXRD, FE‐SEM, EDX, EDX‐Mapping, and BET. BET analysis revealed a specific surface area of 49.19 m 2 /g, contributing to enhanced photocatalytic activity. The band gap of the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was determined to be 1.40 eV, facilitating improved light absorption. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of Congo red dye and tetracycline antibiotic under UV–vis light irradiation. The ZnO/CuO nanocomposite achieved 92.4% degradation of Congo red within 75 min and 60% degradation of tetracycline within 90 min. The percentage of degradation was obtained from the absorbance values measured using a UV–vis spectrophotometer. The use of metal‐organic framework‐derived nanoparticles as precursors provides an effective strategy for fabricating mixed‐semiconductor metal oxides. This method also holds great promise for the future development of high‐performance photocatalysts due to the versatility of metal‐organic frameworks.