A nanostructured MOF/reduced graphene oxide hybrid for enhanced photocatalytic efficiency under solar light

Abstract

A hybrid of MOF-5 metal organic framework and reduced graphene oxide (MOF-5@rGO) has been synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The rGO sheets were found to anchor successfully on the surface of MOF-5. The PL intensity of the nanostructured MOF-5@rGO showed a 60% drop compared to the original value with pristine MOF-5, which was ascribed to a notable retardation of carrier recombination. The hybrid materials displayed excellent photocatalytic efficiency (more than 90%) as compared to the separated components, MOF-5 and rGO, for degradation of various organic-dyestuffs like methylene blue, methylene orange, and rhodamine B under 20 min solar irradiation. Herein, the synergistic effect conferred by the hybrid combination of MOF-5 and rGO plays a critical role to both retard the photogenerated electron-hole recombination rate and maximize the charge transfer in the whole system hybrid structure resulting in a high efficiency photocatalytic performance.