Regulating the interface electron distribution of iron-based MOFs through ligand functionalization enables efficient peroxymonosulfate utilization and catalytic performance

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2024-06, Vol.663, p.358-368
• Main Authors: Xue, Yuwei, Gao, Ran, Lin, Shuangjie, Zhong, Qing, Zhang, Qian, Hong, Junming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electron structure; Iron-based metal organic frameworks; Ligand functionalization; Peroxymonosulfate
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.118

[Display omitted] Ligand functionalization is an effective way to endow Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) with versatility for multiple applications by introducing or displaying substituents without changing the origin framework. In this work, the original MIL-101(Fe) was modified by functional groups, including –NH2, –NO2, –CH3, and -Cl substituents. The Bader charge results and electron localization function (ELF) quantitatively indicated that the functional ligands with different properties can regulate the electron structure of transition-metal centers through interface-charge redistribution. Accompanying the higher adsorption and utilization rate of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), more than 96% of acetaminophen (APAP) was degraded with a mineralization rate of 40.17% under the NH2-BDC/PMS system. In terms of mechanism, the amino group not only accelerated the regeneration of Fe(II) via the NCFe electron-transfer path, but also stimulated the appearance of high-valent Fe species. Meanwhile, the degradation pathways of APAP were proposed by integrating the results of liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and Frontier molecular-orbital theory. Finally, the NH2-BDC/PMS system reveals long-term stability, nonselectivity, low biotoxicity as well as secondary pollution for pollutant degradation, which is a considered candidate for further environmental applications.