Embedding of copper(i) oxide quantum dots in MOF-801 for the photocatalytic degradation of acid yellow 23 under visible light

Abstract

For the first time, the synthesis of the Cu₂OQDs@MOF-801 nanocomposite using a simple and low cost route is reported. MOF-801 was chosen as the main matrix owing to its water stability, chemical stability, high surface area, suitable pore size, and biocompatibility. Cu₂O QDs were well confined inside the MOF-801 as template and main matrix via the double solvents method (DSM) combined with an in situ reduction route (ISRR). The characterization of the MOF-801 and Cu₂OQDs@MOF-801 nanocomposite was performed by PXRD, FT-IR, EDX, XPS, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm, TEM, TGA, DRS, PL, EIS, and Mott–Schottky measurements. The band gap of Cu₂OQDs@MOF-801 is smaller than that of MOF-801 and larger compared to bulk Cu₂O due to the quantum confinement effect. The enhancement in the Cu₂OQDs@MOF-801 photocatalytic activity can be attributed to rapid charge transfer, efficient separation of photoinduced charge carriers, and shortening of the distance for electron and hole transfer.