Novel bimetallic Ag-Fe MOF for exceptional Cd and Cu removal and 3,4-dihydropyrimidinone synthesis

• Published in: Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 2020-09, Vol.114, p.199-210
• Main Authors: Abo El-Yazeed, W.S., Abou El-Reash, Y.G., Elatwy, L.A., Ahmed, Awad I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag-Fe MOF; Catalytic activity; Heavy metals removal; pH effects; Surface acidity
• ISSN: 1876-1070; 1876-1089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2020.09.028

•Ag-Fe MOF was successfully synthesized through the solvothermal method.•The FT-IR and X-ray results confirmed the successful preparation of the bimetallic metal-organic framework.•Rapid removal of Cd(II) and Cu(II) is occurred.•The obtained adsorption values (Cd, 265 mg/g) and (Cu, 213 mg/g)) are very high.•The prepared MOF was used in the synthesis of 3, 4-dihydropyrimidinone. The ratio (0.6:1) Ag-Fe MOF gives the best results due to a high synergistic effect between the two metals. Removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions has drawn the attention of scientists due to their serious global health challenges to human society. Thus, it is very important to use an adsorbent with a high removal efficiency of heavy metals and has the advantage of low-cost. In the present work, metal-organic framework with tailored components is very important in attaining the required purpose and expanding the developing applications. Herein, bimetallic Ag-Fe metal-organic framework has been successfully synthesized through a solvothermal method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy and surface area measurements. Due to the synergistic contribution between Ag and Fe, bimetallic Ag-Fe metal-organic frameworks nanocrystals exhibit enhanced decontamination performance toward the removal of heavy metal ions with ultra-fast adsorption kinetics and high adsorption values. Impressively, an extraordinary Cadmium (II) and Copper (II) adsorption values up to 265 and 213 mg/g, respectively are obtained in bimetallic (0.6:1) Ag-Fe metal-organic framework, which considers the superior adsorbent between the prepared metal-organic frameworks. The surface acidity, examined through the nonaqueous potentiometric titration of n-butylamine, was found to be increased by the formation of a bimetallic metal-organic framework as well as the catalytic activity. Among various Ag: Fe, the ratio (0.6:1) showed the highest acidity and catalytic activity towards the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidinone. The metal-organic frameworks catalysts were found to maintain their adsorption capacity and catalytic activity even after four-time reusing.