Enhancing visible-light-driven photocatalysis: unveiling the remarkable potential of H2O2-assisted MOF/COF hybrid material for organic pollutant degradation

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2024-08, Vol.31 (38), p.50983-50999
• Main Authors: Abeysinghe, Amila Kasun, Peng, Yen-Ping, Huang, Po-Jung, Chen, Ku-Fan, Chen, Chia-Hung, Chen, Wu-Xing, Liang, Fang-Yu, Chien, Po-Yen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Aqueous solutions; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Contaminants; Degradation; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; energy; Energy bands; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Heterojunctions; hybrids; Hydrogen peroxide; ibuprofen; light; Melamine; Methylene blue; Organic contaminants; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; pollutants; Research Article; species; Structural analysis; Synthesis; Waste Water Technology; Wastewater treatment; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34552-8

In this study, we synthesized MOF/COF hybrid material (NH 2 -MOF-5/MCOF) by integrating NH 2 -MOF-5 (Zn) with a melamine-based COF (MCOF) to target the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. Characterization using SEM, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, and UV-DRS confirmed the synthesized MOF/COF hybrid’s exceptional photocatalytic performance under visible light. The addition of H 2 O 2 significantly enhanced the photocatalytic degradation, achieving removal rates of 90%, 92%, and 57% for 11.75 mg L −1 , 30 mg L −1 , and 83 mg L −1 of MB, respectively. Kinetic studies revealed first-order kinetics, with a rate constant nearly 3.5 times higher with added H 2 O 2 . We proposed a comprehensive photocatalytic mechanism elucidated through energy band structure analysis and scavenger tests. Our findings revealed the formation of a heterojunction between NH 2 -MOF-5 and MCOF, which mitigates electron–hole recombination, with ∙OH identified as the principal species governing methylene blue degradation. Moreover, the NH 2 -MOF-5/MCOF hybrid displayed excellent reusability and chemical stability over six cycles. Notably, this H 2 O 2 -assisted hybrid material demonstrated the removal of 99% of ibuprofen, a pharmaceutical drug, showcasing its broad applicability in removing organic contaminants in aqueous solutions, thereby holding great promise for wastewater treatment.