MOF derived ZnO/C nanocomposite with enhanced adsorption capacity and photocatalytic performance under sunlight

In this work, ZnO/C nanocomposites were obtained by calcining the prepared metal-organic framework precursor under nitrogen. The crystallinity and structure of the prepared products were characterized by XRD, FTIR, XPS and EDS. The morphologies of samples before and after calcination were observed by FESEM. The photocatalytic performances of ZnO/C were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation. Combined with DRS, PL and BET, the influence of calcination temperature on photocatalytic activities of as-synthesized zinc oxide were discussed as compared with commercial zinc oxide. The results indicated that ZnO/C composite obtained at 600 °C and 700 °C exhibited the superior adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity. The possible photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO/C nanocomposite for degradation of MB under sunlight irradiation was proposed.