Photocatalytic performance of graphene quantum dot incorporated UiO-66-NH2 composite assembled on plasma-treated membrane
By Safa, Saeed; Khajeh, Mostafa; Oveisi, Ali Reza; Azimirad, Rouhollal; Salehzadeh, Hamid
Published in Advanced Powder Technology
2021
Abstract
The UiO-66-NH2 and graphene quantum dot suspension were synthesized through hydrothermal and electrochemical methods, respectively. The prepared species were assembled on a non-woven polypropylene substrate (NW-PP). The obtained microstructure and the efficiency of the assembling methods were compared to each other. The results showed that plasma treatmentof NW-PP, as the pre-treating procedure, was the most liable strategy concerning the homogenous distribuation of MOF (mass loading percentage of 19.5 wt% of UiO-66-NH2) and improved filtering performance. Next, the photocatalytic performance against methylene blue was increased through addition of graphene quantum dot (GQD) to the NW-PP. The photoluminescence results confirmed that the presence of GQDs effectively inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron/hole pairs. In addition, the photocatalytic constant rate was increased up to three times in the presence of GQDs. Quenching tests proved that the photo-generated O2− played a major role in the photodegradation of the dye.