One-pot synthesis of metal–organic framework@SiO2 core–shell nanoparticles with enhanced visible-light photoactivity

Abstract

This paper presents a novel strategy to prepare Cu₃(BTC)₂@SiO₂ core–shell nanoparticles in the size range of 200–400 nm using a new one-pot strategy under ultrasonic irradiation at room temperature. In this approach, the silica shell thickness could be finely tuned in the size range of 12–60 nm for various reaction times. Nanocomposite thin films were fabricated on the glass substrates by Sol–Gel spin coating using the products for 1.5 h, 2 h and 2.5 h, respectively, and heat treated using an infrared lamp heating system in air. The photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous solution using Cu₂(BTC)₃@SiO₂ thin films was investigated under visible light irradiation at pH 4. After a 45 min reaction with phenol, the degradation rate was up to 93.1%. Moreover, the thin film photocatalysts could be reused 5 times without appreciable loss of photocatalytic activity for degradation of phenol. The present work clearly shows that the films as photocatalysts showed higher photocatalytic performance.