A new 3D Zn-based MOF with enhanced UV-light promoted photocatalytic activity for dye degradation

Abstract

A new 3D Zn(II)-based metal-organic framework [(CH3)2NH2]2[Zn5(TTC)4] (1) (H3TTC = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine-4,4′,4″-tricarboxylic acid) has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction for 1 indicate that it possess (3,4,4)-connected network with Schläfli symbol (4.84.10)4(84.102)4(4.82). Apart from the structural investigation, the photocatalytic performance of MOF 1 to photo-decompose aqueous solution of model dyes viz. methyl violet (MV), Rhodamin B (Rh B), acetylene carbon black (ACB) and methyl blue (MB) have been examined. The photodecomposition results suggest the Zn(II)-MOF based catalyst exhibits best potential to photodegrade MB dye under UV light irradiation. Effect of photocatalyst dosage and initial MB dye concentration on the photocatalytic properties suggest that the photocatalyst exhibits best activity at 50 mg photocatalyst dosage and 18 ppm of initial dye concentration. The plausible photocatalytic mechanistic pathway of MB dye in the presences of 1 has been established with the aid of trapping experiments and density of states (DOS) calculations.