Zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived Ag/C/ZnO for rapid reduction of organic pollutant

One of the appealing usages of metal–organic frameworks is their application in manufacturing of metal oxide and metal oxide nanocomposites. In the present study, we used zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) as precursor to prepare a new Ag/C/ZnO catalyst. The as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Improved catalytic performance of as-prepared Ag/C/ZnO was confirmed by reduction of organic pollutants including p-nitrophenol, methylene blue and rhodamine-B in the presence of NaBH4 in aqueous media. The synergistic effect between Ag and ZnO was proposed as the main reason for the remarkably enhanced catalytic activity of Ag/C/ZnO.