Stable Core‐Shell UiO‐66‐NH2@Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks Composite as a Favorable Photocatalyst for Tetracycline Degradation

Abstract

AbstractMetal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for photocatalytic applications due to their unique properties. Core‐shell MOFs have recently emerged as a particularly attractive subclass of MOFs, offering enhanced light absorption, charge separation capabilities, and stability. In this study, we synthesized UiO‐66‐NH2@ZIF‐67 and UiO‐66‐NH2@ZIF‐8 core‐shell structures using UiO‐66‐NH2, ZIF‐67, and ZIF‐8. We found that UiO‐66‐NH2@ZIF‐67 exhibited a photocatalytic tetracycline (TC) degradation rate that was five times higher than that of pure UiO‐66‐NH2 under visible light. Furthermore, UiO‐66‐NH2@ZIF‐67 demonstrated superior stability and recyclability, maintaining its efficiency for five cycles. The photocatalytic removal efficiency of TC over UiO‐66‐NH2@ZIF‐67 under visible light reached 97 % in just 60 minutes. In this study, the two MOFs with a high surface area, one with a large bandgap and one with the ability to absorb visible light were combined to construct the desire core‐shell structure. Our results offer a novel and convenient strategy for synthesizing highly effective and stable core‐shell MOF‐on‐MOF photocatalysts for photodegradation and TC degradation.