Synthesis and Characterization of Zr-MOF/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite Photocatalyst and Its Utilization in Decomposition of an Organic Dye Pollutant in Aqueous Medium
Applied Organometallic Chemistry, cilt.40, sa.6, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 40 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1002/aoc.70593
- Dergi Adı: Applied Organometallic Chemistry
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, DIALNET, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: dye degradation, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), methylene blue, photocatalyst, Zr-MOF
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
In this study, a novel two-dimensional (2D) composite photocatalyst composed of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) decorated with zirconium-based metal organic framework (Zr-MOF) nanoparticles, UiO-66-NH2(Zr), was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, and its photocatalytic activity was tested with an organic compound as a model synthetic environmental and ecological pollutant for aquatic systems. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of g-C3N4, Zr-MOF and the nanocomposite photocatalyst (Zr-MOF/g-C3N4) were systematically characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, UV–Vis DRS, and TGA measurements. The photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4, Zr-MOF, and the Zr-MOF/g-C3N4 nanocomposite photocatalyst was evaluated by following the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous medium under UV irradiation. Morphological investigation revealed that the g-C3N4 nanosheets were decorated with the octahedral Zr-MOF nanoparticles. TGA analysis confirmed that the Zr-MOF/g-C3N4 photocatalyst is composed of equal amounts of both components by weight. It was found that the g-C3N4 exhibited only modest photocatalytic activity due to rapid charge recombination, while the Zr-MOF showed a significantly higher photocatalytic efficiency. However, the Zr-MOF/g-C3N4 nanocomposite yielded a superior photocatalytic activity, showing a degradation rate constant of 0.0142 min−1. The enhanced performance of the hybrid system was attributed to the synergic effect between g-C3N4 and Zr-MOF, which facilitated charge separation and improved dye adsorption, although the intrinsic catalytic activity was still dominated by the Zr-MOF. This study highlights the importance of structurally designed Zr-MOF-based heterostructures in manufacturing photocatalysts for efficiently decomposing organic pollutants in aquatic environments and water remediation processes.