Laura Y. Hernández-Benítez
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Laura Y. Hernández-Benítez has a total of 9 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Ana Y. Rojas-Forero
Ingeniería Ambiental, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad ECCI, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
1 shared publication - John R. Castro-Suarez
Center for Chemical Sensors (CCS), Chemical Imaging and Surface Analysis Center (CISAC), Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, PR 00681, USA
1 shared publication - José A. Centeno-Ortiz
Center for Chemical Sensors (CCS), Chemical Imaging and Surface Analysis Center (CISAC), Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, PR 00681, USA
1 shared publication - Leonardo C. Pacheco-Londono
Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Biomedicas, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
1 shared publication - María L. Ospina Castro
Grupo de Investigación Química Supramolecular Aplicada, Programa de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Carrera 30 No. 8-49, Puerto Colombia 081007, Colombia
1 shared publication - Maximiliano Méndez-López
Departamento de Química y Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity of a ZnO-Loaded Isoreticular Metal-Organic Framework
A hybrid material composed of IRMOF-3 and ZnO (IRMOF-3/ZnO) was synthesized to enhance photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible-light irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and diffuse-reflectance UV-Vis analyses confirmed the successful integration of ZnO into the IRMOF-3 framework. Compared with unmodified IRMOF-3, the hybrid demonstrated superior MB decomposition, as evidenced by faster reaction rate constants and shorter half-lives. Monitoring the MB absorbance at 670 nm (λmax) revealed more pronounced colorant removal when IRMOF-3/ZnO was exposed to a visible-light source. Diffuse-reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that IRMOF-3 has a band gap of 2.7 eV, whereas IRMOF-3/ZnO exhibits a slightly higher band gap of 2.8 eV. This modest shift, coupled with the strong interaction between the ZnO semiconductor and the MOF’s amine functionalities, enabled two distinct energy-transfer pathways: intermolecular transfer from IRMOF-3 linkers (acting as visible-light antennas) to ZnO, and intramolecular transfer from Zn to IRMOF-3. Together, these pathways generated abundant free radicals for efficient dye degradation. Despite the necessity for careful synthesis protocols and control of operating conditions to preserve the MOF structure and optimize ZnO loading, the IRMOF-3/ZnO hybrid shows promise as a robust, cost-effective photocatalyst for water-pollutant remediation, taking advantage of the more abundant visible region of solar light.
Open AccessVisible-Light Photocatalytic Activity of a ZnO-Loaded Isoreticular Metal-Organic Framework
A hybrid material composed of IRMOF-3 and ZnO (IRMOF-3/ZnO) was synthesized to enhance photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible-light irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and diffuse-reflectance UV-Vis analyses confirmed the successful integration of ZnO into the IRMOF-3 framework. Compared with unmodified IRMOF-3, the hybrid demonstrated superior MB decomposition, as evidenced by faster reaction rate constants and shorter half-lives. Monitoring the MB absorbance at 670 nm (λmax) revealed more pronounced colorant removal when IRMOF-3/ZnO was exposed to a visible-light source. Diffuse-reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that IRMOF-3 has a band gap of 2.7 eV, whereas IRMOF-3/ZnO exhibits a slightly higher band gap of 2.8 eV. This modest shift, coupled with the strong interaction between the ZnO semiconductor and the MOF’s amine functionalities, enabled two distinct energy-transfer pathways: intermolecular transfer from IRMOF-3 linkers (acting as visible-light antennas) to ZnO, and intramolecular transfer from Zn to IRMOF-3. Together, these pathways generated abundant free radicals for efficient dye degradation. Despite the necessity for careful synthesis protocols and control of operating conditions to preserve the MOF structure and optimize ZnO loading, the IRMOF-3/ZnO hybrid shows promise as a robust, cost-effective photocatalyst for water-pollutant remediation, taking advantage of the more abundant visible region of solar light.