Investigation of the Effect of TiO₂ Nanoparticles on the Photocatalytic Activity an‎d Mechanical Stability of Metal–Organic Frameworks in the Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Sources

10/21/2026 12:00:00 AM

Organic dyes, particularly methylene blue, are recognized as major environmental pollutants in the wastewater of various industries due to their chemical an‎d biological stability. The removal of these compounds from aqueous sources has consistently posed a significant challenge. In this study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, as a well-established photocatalyst, were combined with metal–organic frameworks to enhance the efficiency of dye removal. The resulting nanocomposites were synthesized using different methods an‎d subsequently characterized through a series of structural an‎d performance eva‎luations. The samples were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, DRS, PL, an‎d photocatalytic tests to determine their crystalline structure, chemical bonding, morphology, optical properties, an‎d electron–hole recombination behavior. Spectroscopic analyses revealed that the hybridization of TiO₂ with MOFs effectively reduced the electron–hole recombination rate an‎d improved charge carrier separation. Furthermore, optical ban‎d gap investigations demonstrated a redshift in the absorption edge toward the ultraviolet region, thereby enhancing the light absorption capacity of the hybrid samples. Photocatalytic tests performed on methylene blue solution under UV irradiation indicated that the hybrid samples exhibited higher degradation efficiency compared to pristine MOFs within reaction times of 3 an‎d 6 hours. Among the synthesis approaches, the ZIF-8-based hybrids obtained via the second synthesis route an‎d the ZIF-67-based hybrids obtained via the third synthesis route displayed the highest photocatalytic performance, achieving more than 90% an‎d 80% dye removal, respectively, after 6 hours. In addition, to improve industrial applicability an‎d facilitate recyclability, the hybrid nanoparticles were immobilized within a water-based acrylic film. The results demonstrated that these films, while maintaining mechanical stability, exhibited effective methylene blue degradation capacity an‎d simultaneously prevented the release of nanoparticles into the environment. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the hybridization of TiO₂ with MOFs represents a promising strategy for the development of stable an‎d efficient photocatalysts for the removal of organic pollutants from industrial wastewater.

چارچوب‌هاي فلزي - آلي , دي‌اكسيد تيتانيوم , فتوكاتاليست , متيلن بلو , حذف آلاينده‌ها

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) , titanium dioxide , photocatalyst , methylene blue , pollutant removal

Elahe Khazaei

Masoud jamshidi