Karelius Karelius, Ratna Ediati, Eko Santoso, Uripto Trisno Santoso, Nuhaa Faaizatunnisa, Rifdah Adya Salsabila, Marvin Horale Pasaribu, Retno Agnestisia
Development of highly efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent and recalcitrant malachite green (MG) dye remains a significant challenge. In this study, mesoporous α-Fe 2 O 3 was synthesized by calcining MIL-100(Fe) and subsequently encapsulated within ZIF-8 to form α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZIF-8 (FZF) composites. The resulting heterostructures exhibited a high surface area (566 m 2 /g), a narrow band gap (∼2.0 eV), improved charge separation, and strong adsorption capacity. Among the samples, FZF-25 achieved 99.35% removal of 150 ppm MG within 80 min under UV irradiation and maintained excellent stability over four cycles. These findings highlight a promising MOF-derived α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZIF-8 approach that enables synergistic adsorption–photocatalysis process. • Mesoporous α-Fe 2 O 3 was obtained from calcination of MIL-100(Fe). • The α-Fe 2 O 3 was encapsulated within ZIF-8 to form α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZIF-8 (FZF) composites • The α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZIF-8 (FZF) composites exhibited a high surface area, a narrow band gap. • FZF-25 achieved 99.35% removal of 150 ppm MG within 80 min under UV irradiation. • FZF-25 showed an excellent photo-stability until four photocatalytic cycles