Well-construction of Zn2SnO4/SnO2@ZIF-8 core–shell hetero-structure with efficient photocatalytic activity towards tetracycline under restricted space

Nowadays, efficient removal of antibiotic ( e.g. tetracycline, TC) from water bodies has been of great global concern. Hereby, a novel Zn 2 SnO 4 /SnO 2 @ZIF-8 photo-catalyst was first synthesized by a facile self-assembly in-situ growth method. Zn 2 SnO 4 /SnO 2 @ZIF-8 exhibits a remarkable photocatalytic activity towards TC under visible-light driven with a rapid rate constant of 1.5×10 -2 min -1 , and a removal efficiency of 81.2%, which is superior to some catalysts in the literature. Importantly, the photocatalytic activity of Zn 2 SnO 4 /SnO 2 @ZIF-8 could still remain ∼77% after the fifth cycle, indicating its good stability and reusability. The remarkable performances of adsorption and photocatalytic were attributed to associative effects of catalytic activity of Zn 2 SnO 4 /SnO 2 and the unique porous nanostructure and stability of ZIF-8. This work could aid the future design and preparation of novel MOFs composite catalysts for efficient elimination of antibiotics from water.