Synthesis of CdxZn1−xS@MIL-101(Cr) Composite Catalysts for the Photodegradation of Methylene Blue

Nanoparticles of the semiconductor catalyst Cd x Zn 1 − x S were embedded into the metal organic framework MIL-101(Cr) to obtain Cd x Zn 1 − x S@MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites. These materials not only possess high surface areas and mesopores but also show good utilization of light energy. The ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance patterns of Cd x Zn 1 − x S@MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites showed that Cd 0 . 8 Zn 0 . 2 S@MIL-101(Cr) possessed good visible light response ability among the synthesized nanocomposites. The photocatalytic performance of the Cd x Zn 1 − x S@MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites were tested via degradation and mineralization of methylene blue in neutral water solution under light irradiation using a 300W xenon lamp. As a result, using Cd 0 . 8 Zn 0 . 2 S@MIL-101(Cr) as a catalyst, 99.2% of methylene blue was mineralized within 30 min. Due to the synergistic effect of adsorption by the MIL-101(Cr) component and photocatalytic degradation provided by the Cd 0 . 8 Zn 0 . 2 S component, the Cd 0 . 8 Zn 0 . 2 S@MIL-101(Cr) catalyst displayed superior photocatalytic performance relative to Cd 0 . 8 Zn 0 . 2 S and MIL-101(Cr). Furthermore, Cd 0 . 8 Zn 0 . 2 S@MIL-101(Cr) possessed excellent stability during photodegradation and exhibited good reusability. The remarkable photocatalytic performance of Cd 0 . 8 Zn 0 . 2 S@MIL-101(Cr) is likely due to the effective transfer of electrons and holes at the heterojunction interfaces.