Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization of Co3Sb4O6F6 and carbon doped Co3Sb4O6F6 and their application towards photocatalytic dye degradation, adsorption, catalytic Knoevenagel condensation and bacterial disinfection

• Published in: Journal of molecular structure 2025-02, Vol.1321, p.140006, Article 140006
• Main Authors: Paul, Sayantani, Sen, Bibaswan, Basak, Nilendu, Das, Sangita, Rudra, Pratyasha, Chakraborty, Nirman, Islam, Ekramul, Mondal, Swastik, Abbas, Sk Jahir, Ali, Sk Imran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorbent; Antibacterial agent; Carbon-doping; Photocatalyst; Solvent-free Knoevenagel condensation
• ISSN: 0022-2860
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.140006

•Co(II)-based metal oxyfluoride comprising a stereochemically active lone pair (Sb3+) i.e., Co3Sb4O6F6 and its carbon-doped analogues were synthesized for the multifunctional applications.•A larger percentage of carbon doping turns the photocatalytic ability of the host material into an adsorbent for the removal of dye.•The catalytic efficiencies of both parent and doped compounds are also established for the solvent-free Knoevenagel condensation reaction with 90 % yield at moderate temperature.•Bacterial disinfection studies of Co3Sb4O6F6 and its carbon-doped compounds were carried out by the ‘Disc diffusion method’ against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Single crystals of Co3Sb4O6F6 have been grown by employing hydrothermal techniques. Table sugar was utilized to prepare carbon-doped Co3Sb4O6F6. The objective was to employ Co(II)-based metal oxyfluoride comprising a stereochemically active lone pair element (Sb3+) and its carbon-doped analogues for the multifunctional applications. The impact of carbon doping on Co3Sb4O6F6 has been evaluated towards the changes in photocatalytic, catalytic, and adsorbent efficiency. The changes in carbon percentage affect the physical and chemical properties of the host material. A larger percentage of carbon doping turns the photocatalytic ability of the host material into an adsorbent for the removal of dye. The single crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that Co3Sb4O6F6 crystallizes into cubic symmetry. However, powder X-ray diffraction study reveals the structural transformation in the carbon-doped Co3Sb4O6F6. It also reduces the band gap energy of the host material, and 4 wt% C@Co3Sb4O6F6 turns out to be an efficient photocatalyst. Large-scale carbon doping (15 wt%) appears to be an effective strategy to increase the surface charge and BET surface area, as consequences adsorption property develops in 15 wt% C@Co3Sb4O6F6/H2O2 for the elimination of methylene blue (MB). This favourable chemical adsorption process occurs with large maximum adsorption capacity (qmax = 58.41169 mg g-1), as evident from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Scavenger experiment confirms that the photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesised compounds were triggered by the active participation of the hydroxyl radical (.OH). The catalytic efficiencies of both parent and doped compounds are also established for the solvent-free Knoevenagel condensation reaction with 90 % yield at moderate temperature. Bacterial disinfection