Facile synthesis of AgBr@ZIF-8 hybrid photocatalysts for degradation of Rhodamine B

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was coupled with AgBr using a facile deposition-precipitation method to synthesize AgBr@ZIF-8 composites. The photocatalytic activity of prepared photocatalysts was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). As expected, the photocatalytic activity of the AgBr@ZIF-8 photocatalysts was superior to that of ZIF-8 and AgBr. Among the AgBr@ZIF-8 photocatalysts, AgBr@ZIF-8 with a ZIF-8 loading of 5 wt% exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency of 99.5 % within 15 min. The remarkable photocatalytic activity of the AgBr@ZIF-8 composites was attributed to the heterojunction between ZIF-8 and AgBr, which reduced the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of the catalysts. According to the trapping experiment, superoxide radicals (center dot O2-) and holes (h+) were certified as the main species in the efficient removal of RhB.

Automated summary

AgBr@ZIF-8 composites were synthesized by coupling Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) with AgBr using a deposition-precipitation method. The photocatalytic activity of the composites was evaluated through the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The AgBr@ZIF-8 photocatalysts showed superior photocatalytic activity compared to ZIF-8 and AgBr, with AgBr@ZIF-8 containing 5 wt% ZIF-8 exhibiting the highest efficiency of 99.5% within 15 minutes. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of AgBr@ZIF-8 composites was attributed to the heterojunction between ZIF-8 and AgBr, reducing the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs. Superoxide radicals (center dot O2-) and holes (h+) were identified as the main species responsible for the efficient removal of RhB according to trapping experiments.