Facile controlled synthesis of core-shell/yolk-shell/hollow ZIF-67@Co-LDH/SiO2 via a self-templated method

The core–shell/yolk–shell/hollow structures of nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention due to their wide applications in various fields. Herein, we have successfully developed a facile strategy for the controlled synthesis of core–shell/yolk–shell/hollow structured ZIF-67@Co-LDH/SiO2 by using zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) as a self-sacrificing template. The mesoporous core–shell/yolk–shell/hollow nanostructured ZIF-67@Co-LDH/SiO2 material was obtained by controlling the reaction time under the protection of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. In this research, SEM, TEM and PXRD were used to characterize the morphology, size, composition and structure of the obtained ZIF-67@Co-LDH/SiO2 material. The formation mechanism of the core–shell/yolk–shell/hollow structures was elucidated. Moreover, the unique structural characteristics and porosity enable the prepared core–shell/yolk–shell/hollow nanostructure ZIF-67@Co-LDH/SiO2 to exhibit good adsorption performance for Congo red.