Greener route for the removal of toxic heavy metals and synthesis of 14-aryl-14H dibenzo[a,j] xanthene using a novel and efficient Ag-Mg bimetallic MOF as a recyclable heterogeneous nanocatalyst

Abstract

Removing of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions has become a serious challenge from both biological and environmental viewpoints. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOF) including two metal ions in its framework have been enhanced as promising structure in the capture of various hazardous and toxic substances. Herein, Ag-Mg-MOF were synthesized through a one-step approach using solvothermal technique. Then, the as-synthesized Bimetallic MOFs were characterized by TEM, SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR and N2 adsorption. The as-synthesized Ag-Mg-MOF samples were used for heavy metal removal. The results showed that the adsorption of cadmium, lead and Cupper ions on MOF was improved by the pH increasing. The experimental data were examined through Freundlich and Langmuir models. The fabricated Ag-Mg MOFs exhibit enhanced decontaminant performance toward Cu2+, Cd2+and Pb2 ions in terms of high adsorption capacities, Pb2+ (350 mg/g)> Cd2+ (270 mg/g)> Cu2+ (202 mg/g), and ultrafast kinetics compared to the monometallic Mg-MOF. FT-IR spectra of adsorbed pyridine methods and non-aqueous potentiometric titration were used for measuring surface acidity of the prepared MOF. It was observed that the surface acidity and the catalytic activity were increased in bimetallic MOF compared to monometallic MOF. The catalytic results of the formation of free solvent 14-aryl-14-Hdibenzo[a,j]xanthene compound by Ag-Mg MOF showed a high yield at a lower time. Also, the prepared MOF catalysts still preserved their initial catalytic activity even after the 4th run. The results of this work demonstrate that the novel Ag-Mg MOFs nanocatalysts have great potential for applications in environmental protection, especially in heavy metal ions removal present in wastewaters and in the synthesis of pharmacologically and biologically active compound.