ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis of C₃N₄-decorated ZnO and Ag/ZnO nanoparticles via calcination of ZIF-8 and melamine for photocatalytic removal of methyl orange

Zirong Li, Jinxiang Mei, and Lei Bai

Anhui Science and Technology University, Bengbu, China

E-mail: baileiwj2014@163.com

Abstract: The C₃N₄-decorated ZnO and Ag/ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using melamine and ZIF-8 as precursors after thermal treatment under air condition. The results from the structural analysis suggested that the presence of the metallic Ag as well as C₃N₄ in the composite and the introduction of the melamine could slightly enhance the aggregation of the particles of the three dimensional structure of ZnO and Ag/ZnO. However, the presence of C₃N₄ and Ag could boost the utilization of the light and increase the separation of electrons and holes. Finally, the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange indicated that the C₃N₄-decorated ZnO and Ag/ZnO displayed an enhanced ability in comparison with pure ZnO and C₃N₄, which suggested that the synergistic effect of Ag and C₃N₄ played an important role in the catalytic process.

Keywords: C₃N₄ ; Ag/ZnO composites ; ZIF-8 ; Photocatalytic degradation ; Synergistic effect 

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-018-0656-7

Chemical Papers 73 (4) 883–889 (2019)