Green synthesis of MOF@Ag nanocomposites for catalytic reduction of methylene blue

In this study, a novel catalyst (ZBD@Ag) based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) grown on the surface of Zn-2(bdc)(2) (dabco) metal-organic framework (ZBD), was synthesized using a green in situ approach. The ZBD@Ag nanocomposite was characterized by various techniques, and its catalytic performance was investigated in the reduction of methylene blue (MB) in the presence of NaBH4. It was found that the catalyst possesses outstanding performance even at deficient concentrations and that acidic pH is more suitable for the catalytic reduction. The catalytic reduction of MB completed in 6 min, and the reaction followed the first-order kinetics (K = 0.37 min(-1)approximate to 30.5 s(-1) g(-1)). The developed catalyst could well suppress the other similar catalysts for the same reaction, showing its potential to be used for the removal of hazardous materials like organic dyes. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.