Zn-MOF decorated bio activated carbon for photocatalytic degradation, oxygen evolution and reduction catalysis

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2022-01, Vol.421, p.126720-126720, Article 126720
• Main Authors: Govindaraju, Saravanan, Arumugasamy, Shiva Kumar, Chellasamy, Gayathri, Yun, Kyusik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; OER; ORR; Photocatalytic degradation; Zn-MOF
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126720

An emerging global necessity for alternative resources combined with maximum catalytic efficiency, low cost, and eco-friendly composite remains a hotspot in the scientific society. Hereby, a novel protocol is approached to design a heterostructure of Zinc MOF decorated on the surface of 2D activated carbon (AC) through a simplistic approach. To begin with, analytical, morphological and spectroscopical studies were performed to identify the functional moieties, cruciate-flower like morphology and oxidative state of atoms present in the composite Zn-MOF @AC. The photocatalytic material aids in degrading both cationic and anionic dye in a UV (254 nm) irradiated environment at a rate of 86.4% and 77.5% within 90 mins. Subsequently, the hybrid materials are coated on the carbon substrate to evaluate the catalytic activity using oxygen evolution and reduction reaction process. The mechanical insight for the catalytic activity relies on the electronic transitions of atoms on the edges of the sheets ascribing to d-d energy levels between the interfacial electron movement. Our composite exhibits an overpotential of 0.7 V and a Tafel slope of 70 mV/dec for the oxygen reduction reaction. This study proposes an alternate approach for developing MOF decorated carbon-based composites for photocatalytic degradability and energy necessity. [Display omitted] •Zinc-Metal organic framework decorated on activated carbon using a facile approach.•Affirmation of developed material via analytical and morphological studies.•Synergism by non-covalent interactions boosts catalytic activity.•Methyl orange and brilliant green dye degradation was optimized.•Electronic transitions of vacant active sites enhance OER and ORR process.