Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8)/Al2O3 Composite

Abstract

Metal-organic framework (MOF) such as ZIF-8 is a highly porous material applied in many fields due to its high specific surface area and excellent regularity of pores. One technique to improve the physical properties of ZIF-8 is by forming a composite between a metal oxide and the MOF. ZIF-8 and ZIF-8/Al2O3 were successfully synthesized by the solvothermal method with aluminum variations of 19 percent, 38 percent, and 76 percent. The ZIF-8/Al2O3 samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen physisorption. The diffractogram shows the appearance of ZIF-8 peaks at two theta equals 7.26, 10.41, 12.66, 16.41, and 17.95 degrees. The morphology of ZIF-8 crystals had a cubic shape, while ZIF-8/Al2O3 had a different shape compared to ZIF-8. Based on the FTIR results, the Zn–N peak appears at 420 inverse centimeters, which indicates bonding between metal and organic ligand. The ZIF-8/Al2O3 sample also showed an additional peak at 825 inverse centimeters due to the vibration of Al–O–Al bonds.