Mesoporous ZnO microcube derived from a metal-organic framework as photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes

A cube-like porous ZnO architecture was synthesized by direct two-step thermolysis of a zinc-based metal-organic framework [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3]. The obtained ZnO microcube was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms. The mesoporous ZnO microcube was comprised by many nanoparticles, and inherited the cube shape from [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3] precursor. With large surface area and mesoporous structure, the ZnO microcube exhibits excellent photocatalytic activities against methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB) under UV irradiation, and the degradation rates reached 99.7% and 98.1% within 120min, respectively. Mesoporous ZnO microcube was synthesized via two-step thermolysis of metal-organic framework [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3], and exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity towards MO and RhB. [Display omitted] •Cubic MOF [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3] was prepared by solution-precipitation method.•Mesoporous ZnO microcube was obtained by a two-step calcination of MOF precursor.•ZnO microcube shows photocatalytic activity to MO and RhB under UV irradiation.•The h+ and ∙O2- are main active species during the photodegradation process.