ZIF-8 derived ZnO-calcium silicate mesoporous structures: Synthesis and photocatalytic activity

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show potential as catalysts or catalyst precursors, but they suffer from difficult separation and weak stability and do not conform to practical application conventions. Herein, we demonstrate the application of nanostructured calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), the building block of Portland cement concrete, to fabricate hierarchically porous zeolitic-imidazolate-framework-8 (ZIF-8)-derived ZnO nanocomposites. The dispersing and stabilizing effects of the C-S-H nanoplate structure effectively suppressed the agglomeration of ZIF-8 nanocrystals during high-temperature treatment. After calcination at 450 degrees C, ZnO nanocomposites with high specific surface area (579 m2 g-1) and hierarchical porosity were obtained. The nanocomposites were used as photocatalysts for degradation of rhodamine B and exhibited degradation efficiency as high as 95.5% within 45 min of UV light illumination with high photocatalytic stability and excellent reusability. This study demonstrated a facile way of using economic and versatile C-S-H nanostructures to fabricate MOF and MOF-derived nanocomposites with enhanced stability and functionality.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the use of nanostructured calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) to fabricate hierarchically porous zinc oxide nanocomposites with high photocatalytic efficiency for the degradation of rhodamine B.