Multiplicative rGO/Cu-BDC MOF for 4-nitrophenol reduction and supercapacitor applications

Schematic presentation of synthesis of Cu- BDC MOF nanosheets and rGO/ Cu- BDC MOF nanosheets. [Display omitted] •Two-dimensional rGO/Cu-BDC MOF nanocomposites were successfully synthesized.•An efficient catalytic reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP is accomplished using rGO/Cu-BDC MOF.•The synergy between Cu-BDC MOF and rGO enhances both the 4-nitrophenol reduction and electrochemical properties. Two-dimensional nanosheets, with their distinct characteristics, are widely used in various applications such as water splitting, supercapacitors, catalysis etc. In this research, we produced Cu-BDC MOF nanosheets by using Cu2O nanotubes for metal ions and H2BDC as the organic linker. We combined these Cu-BDC MOF nanosheets with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to form a nanocomposite. The collaboration between Cu-BDC MOF and rGO boosts both the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and the electrochemical capabilities. The conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol is achieved using sodium borohydride as both a reducing agent and a catalyst. The study explores the impact of different concentrations of 4-nitrophenol and sodium borohydride on catalytic efficiency. The increase in sodium borohydride concentration enhances catalytic efficiency by providing more BH4− ions and electrons for the reduction process. The catalytic reduction process adheres to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism with apparent pseudo-first-order kinetics. Specifically, Cu-BDC MOF and rGO/Cu-BDC MOF exhibit specific capacities of 468.4 mA h/g and 656.4 mA h/g at a current density of 2 A/g, respectively, while also enhancing the operating voltage window. Therefore, electrodes based on rGO/Cu-BDC MOF nanosheets present a novel approach for environmental remediation and energy storage applications across various fields.