Synthesis and Characterization of Cu-MOF/MoS2 Nanocomposite for Methylene Blue Dye Removal Studies

Abstract

This study investigates the adsorption ability of 2D MoS2 combined with Cu-MOF for methylene blue (MB) by synthesizing several nanocomposites by an in-situ process at room temperature, incorporating varied weight percentages of 2D MoS2. Consequently, the CuMOF/MoS2 (9%) nanocomposite showed superior performance compared to other nanocomposites for the adsorption of MB from wastewater, achieving an adsorption efficiency of 89.9%. The synthesized samples' crystal structure, elemental mapping, functional group identification, and morphology were analyzed using SEM, XRD, FTIR, and AFM, respectively. This study demonstrates a recent type of adsorbent material: the nanocomposite of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with the copper metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF). The characteristics of 2D (two-dimensional) MoS2 structures, including a high absorption coefficient, elevated surface-to-volume ratio, and adjustable band gap, render them a promising candidate in diverse domains such as electronics, energy storage, catalysis, and adsorption. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a sophisticated category of materials, and they have been recognized for their efficacy as adsorbents during the past two decades due to their straightforward production, extensive surface area, and customizable pore dimensions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are recognized as effective agents for removing dyes from wastewater. This study investigates the adsorption ability of 2D MoS2 combined with Cu-MOF for methylene blue (MB) by synthesizing several nanocomposites by an in-situ process at room temperature, incorporating varied weight percentages of 2D MoS2. Consequently, the CuMOF/MoS2 (9%) nanocomposite showed superior performance compared to other nanocomposites for the adsorption of MB from wastewater, achieving an adsorption efficiency of 89.9%. The crystal structure, elemental mapping, functional group identification, and morphology of the synthesized samples were analyzed using SEM, XRD, FTIR, and AFM, respectively. Additionally, the impact of time, adsorbent, and adsorbate variations on the adsorption process was investigated. The experimental results were analyzed using kinetic models, specifically the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, and according to the results, xvi pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order with R2 = 0.98. Langmuir and Freundlich's adsorption isotherms thoroughly examine the adsorption isotherms of MB on nanocomposites. This research reveals the potential of Cu-MOF/MoS2 nanocomposite for effectively removing organic dyes from wastewater effluent.