Novel SnO₂@Cu₃(BTC)₂ Composites as a Highly Efficient Photocatalyst and Fluorescent Sensor.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Environmental Chemistry

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable porosity for various applications.
• Tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles exhibit photocatalytic properties.
• Developing efficient and cost-effective materials for environmental remediation and sensing is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel SnO2@Cu3(BTC)2 composite material.
• To evaluate its efficiency as a photocatalyst for dye degradation.
• To assess its capability for selective sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP).

Main Methods:

• Bottom-up synthesis via impregnation of SnO2 nanoparticles into Cu3(BTC)2 MOF.
• Characterization using FTIR, PXRD, SEM, and EDS.
• Photocatalytic degradation experiments with methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight.
• Fluorescence sensing of TNP in aqueous solutions.
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for mechanism assessment.

Main Results:

• The SnO2@Cu3(BTC)2 composite was successfully synthesized and characterized.
• Achieved 85.12% degradation of MB dye within 80 minutes.
• Demonstrated excellent recyclability over five cycles with retained efficiency.
• Successfully detected TNP with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.82 µM.
• Exhibited high selectivity for TNP over other nitroaromatic compounds.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized SnO2@Cu3(BTC)2 composite is a cost-effective and efficient material.
• It shows significant potential as a reusable photocatalyst for dye degradation.
• The composite serves as a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor for TNP.
• The findings suggest broad industrial applicability in environmental sensing and remediation.