Fabrication of Cuboidal CdS Decorated UiO-66(-NH2) Metal Organic Framework Heterostructure for Photocatalytic Remediation of Organic Pesticides

Abstract

The UiO-66(-NH2) metal-organic framework (MOF) has been prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The UiO-66(-NH2) MOF nanoparticles were subsequently anchored on the surface of the CdS nanocube to fabricate the binary heterojunction. The CdS nanocube decorated UiO-66(-NH2) have been characterized by using series of analytical techniques like XRD, UV-Vis DRS, FESEM, PL and FTIR. The XRD results endorse the fabrication of highly crystalline phase of pure CdS. The XRD pattern of CdS/UiO-66(-NH2) heterostructure materials contain major diffraction peaks of CdS phase along with the characteristic diffraction peaks for UiO-66(-NH2). The CdS/UiO-66(-NH2) material show improved visible light absorption features in comparison to the pristine UiO-66(-NH2) species. The band position of the CdS and UiO-66(-NH2) components are suitably aligned for photo-generated electrons migration from conduction band (CB) of CdS to CB of UiO-66(-NH2) and holes are transferred from VB of UiO-66(-NH2) to VB of CdS leading to superior charge carrier separation in the composite material. The CdS/UiO-66(-NH2) heterostructure materials have been assessed as an excellent visible light driven photocatalyst for mineralization of diazinon (94%) pesticides. The comprehensive study of the characterization and photocatalytic activity assessment of this class of heterojunction materials will be presented in the conference.