Next-Generation Hybrid Materials for Organic Pollutant Removal: Carbon Dot–ZIF-8 Systems

In this study, novel hybrid materials were synthesized by integrating carbon dots (CDs) with ZIF-8 metal-organic frameworks to enhance the removal efficiency of various organic micropollutants from aqueous solutions. The carbon dots were synthesized using citric acid, boric acid, and urea via a green, water-based microwave-assisted approach, and categorized into three types: BCN, CB, and CA. These CDs were subsequently combined with ZIF-8 to form hybrid materials (ZIF-8-BCN, ZIF-8-CB, and ZIF-8-CA), which were then evaluated for their adsorption capacities against common dyes including Methyl Violet (MV), Methylene Blue (MB), Methyl Orange (MO), Rhodamine B (RB), Sodium Fluorescein (SF), and Indigo Carmine (IK). The incorporation of carbon dots into the ZIF-8 framework significantly improved the micropollutant removal performance, with ZIF-8-BCN showing up to 66% removal of MV and 40% of IK, compared to 37% and 27% respectively for bare ZIF-8. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effects between the high surface area of ZIF-8 and the functional groups on the carbon dots, facilitating stronger interactions with dye molecules. This work demonstrates a promising strategy for developing next-generation adsorbents through rational hybridization of MOFs and carbon nanomaterials for environmental remediation applications.