Modified MIL-100(Fe) for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible-light irradiation

Photocatalytic Degradation of Quinolones by Magnetic MOFs Materials and Mechanism Study

With the rising incidence of various diseases in China and the constant development of the pharmaceutical industry, there is a growing demand for floxacin-type antibiotics. Due to the large-scale production and high cost of waste treatment, the parent drug and its metabolites constantly enter the water environment through domestic sewage, production wastewater, and other pathways. In recent years, the pollution of the aquatic environment by floxacin has become increasingly serious, making the technology to degrade floxacin in the aquatic environment a research hotspot in the field of environmental science. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as a new type of porous material, have attracted much attention in recent years. In this paper, four photocatalytic materials, MIL-53(Fe), NH2-MIL-53(Fe), MIL-100(Fe), and g-C3N4, were synthesised and applied to the study of the removal of ofloxacin and enrofloxacin. Among them, the MIL-100(Fe) material exhibited the best photocatalytic effect. The degradation efficiency of ofloxacin reached 95.1% after 3 h under visible light, while enrofloxacin was basically completely degraded. The effects of different materials on the visible photocatalytic degradation of the floxacin were investigated. Furthermore, the photocatalytic mechanism of enrofloxacin and ofloxacin was revealed by the use of three trappers (▪O2-, h+, and ▪OH), demonstrating that the role of ▪O2- promoted the degradation effect of the materials under photocatalysis.

Recent advancements in modifications of metal-organic frameworks-based materials for enhanced water purification and contaminant detection

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a key focus in water treatment and monitoring due to their unique structural features, including extensive surface area, customizable porosity, reversible adsorption, and high catalytic efficiency. While numerous reviews have discussed MOFs in environmental remediation, this review specifically addresses recent advancements in modifying MOFs to enhance their effectiveness in water purification and monitoring. It underscores their roles as adsorbents, photocatalysts, and in luminescent and electrochemical sensing. Advancements such as pore modification, defect engineering, and functionalization, combined synergistically with advanced materials, have led to the development of recyclable MOF-based nano-adsorbents, Z-scheme photocatalytic systems, nanocomposites, and hybrid materials. These innovations have broadened the spectrum of removable contaminants and improved material recyclability. Additionally, this review delves into the creation of multifunctional MOF materials, the development of robust MOF variants, and the simplification of synthesis methods, marking significant progress in MOF sensor technology. Furthermore, the review addresses current challenges in this field and proposes potential future research directions and practical applications. The growing research interest in MOFs underscores the need for an updated synthesis of knowledge in this area, focusing on both current challenges and future opportunities in water remediation.

Enhanced photoreduction efficiency of Cr(VI) driven by visible light in a new Zr-based metal-organic framework modified by hydroxyl groups

While metal-organic framework (MOF) photocatalysts have demonstrated a unique Cr(VI) photoreduction capability in recent decades, their performance is still insufficient for practical applications because of their low Cr(VI) uptake and poor visible light response. To cope with these drawbacks, a new OH-modified Zr-based MOF, termed HCMUE-1, was successfully prepared via a solvothermal method in this work. The complete characterization of HCMUE-1 was performed through various techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The obtained data exhibited the excellent Cr(VI) photoreduction efficiency of HCMUE-1, reaching up to 98% after 90 min and almost 100% after 120 min under visible light illumination in a low acidic medium. Noteworthily, HCMUE-1 retained the same Cr(VI) removal rate for at least seven cycles without considerable loss. Further experimental investigations demonstrated that the structural stability and surface morphology of HCMUE-1 were retained after photoreduction. Moreover, the photocatalytic reduction mechanism of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was interpreted through a series of systematic experimental measurements. These results indicate that HCMUE-1 possesses potential as an efficient photocatalyst for reducing toxic Cr(VI) species from wastewater in real-life conditions.

Metal-organic framework heterojunctions for photocatalysis

Heterojunctions combining two photocatalysts of staggered conduction and valence band energy levels can increase the photocatalytic efficiency compared to their individual components. This activity enhancement is due to the minimization of undesirable charge recombination by the occurrence of carrier migration through the heterojunction interface with separated electrons and holes on the reducing and oxidizing junction component, respectively. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are currently among the most researched photocatalysts due to their tunable light absorption, facile charge separation, large surface area and porosity. The present review summarizes the current state-of-the-art in MOF-based heterojunctions, providing critical comments on the construction of these heterostructures. Besides including examples showing the better performance of MOF heterojunctions for three important photocatalytic processes, such as hydrogen evolution reaction, CO2 photoreduction and dye decolorization, the focus of this review is on describing synthetic procedures to form heterojunctions with MOFs and on discussing the experimental techniques that provide evidence for the operation of charge migration between the MOF and the other component. Special attention has been paid to the design of rational MOF heterojunctions with small particle size and controlled morphology for an appropriate interfacial contact. The final section summarizes the achievements of the field and provides our views on future developments.

Mitochondrial topoisomerase 1 targeted anticancer therapy using irinotecan encapsulated mesoporous MIL-101(Fe) synthesized via a vapour assisted method

Mitochondrial topisomerase 1 (Top1mt) is critical for mtDNA replication, transcription, and energy production. Here, we investigate the carrier-mediated targeted delivery of the anticancer drug irinotecan into the mitochondria to selectively trap Top1mt covalent complexes (Top1mtcc) and its role in anticancer therapeutics. We have designed a biocompatible mesoporous metal-organic framework (MOF) material, namely MIL-101(Fe), as the drug delivery carrier that selectively localizes inside mitochondria. In contrast to the traditional way of synthesising MOFs, here we have employed a vapour-assisted solvothermal method for the synthesis of MIL-101(Fe) using terephthalic acid as the organic linker and Fe(III) as the metal source. The advantage of this method is that it recycles the excess solvent (DMF) and reduces the amount of washing solvent. We demonstrate that MIL-101(Fe)-encapsulated irinotecan (MIL-Iri) was selectively targeted towards the mitochondria to poison Top1mtcc in a dose-dependent manner and was achieved at a low nanomolar drug concentration. We provide evidence that Top1mtcc generated by MIL-Iri leads to mtDNA damage in human colon and breast cancer cells and plays a significant role in cellular toxicity. Altogether, this study provides evidence for a new and effective strategy in anticancer chemotherapy.

Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline by Modifying UiO-66 via Different Regulation Strategies

Wastewater containing organic pollutants cause potential harm to the environment and human health. A series of zirconium-organic frameworks (UiO-66) and their composites were synthesized by solvothermal methods, including band gap adjustment, heterojunction construction, and metal ion doping. For the model pollutant tetracycline (TC), all of the prepared catalysts could achieve effective degradation of it. Therein, the degradation efficiency of tetracycline could reach 95% under the UV irradiation with the aid of the catalyst, in which the UiO-66-NDC was modified with P-C3N4. The free radical capture experiments demonstrated that the superoxide radical (•O2-) was the main oxidizing species for the photodegradation of tetracycline. Hence, the improvement strategy of the catalyst would provide some enlightenment for the development of more efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes in wastewater.

The MIL100(Fe)/BaTi0.85Zr0.15O3 nanocomposite with the photocatalytic capability for study of tetracycline photodegradation kinetics

The visible light-active nanocomposite with the photocatalytic capability was facile one-pot solvothermal method successfully synthesized. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetry and Derivative Thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (SEM-EDX), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) analysis were employed to characterize the synthetized BaTi_0.85Zr_0.15O3, MIL-100(Fe), and the MIL-100(Fe)/BaTi_0.85Zr_0.15O₃ samples. As a result of the Scherrer equations, the size of grains for MIL-100(Fe), BaTi_0.85Zr_0.15O₃, and MIL-100(Fe)/BaTi_0.85Zr_0.15O₃ was estimated to be 40.81, 12.00, and 22.70 nm, respectively. MIL-100(Fe), BaTi_0.85Zr_0.15O₃, and MIL-100(Fe)/BaTi_0.85Zr_0.15O₃ samples showed bandgap values of 1.77, 3.02, and 2.56 determined from their absorption edge wavelengths. In the photodegraded solutions, chemical oxygen demand (COD) data and tetracycline (TC) absorbencies were used to obtain the rate constants of 0.032 min^-1 and 0.030 min^-1, respectively. This corresponds to t_1/2-values of 27.7 min and 21.7 min, respectively, for the degradation and mineralization of TC molecules during photodegradation process.

Modular Construction of an MIL-101(Fe)@MIL-100(Fe) Dual-Compartment Nanoreactor and Its Boosted Photocatalytic Activity toward Tetracycline

Iron-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have aroused extensive concern as prospective photocatalysts for antibiotic (e.g., tetracycline, TC) degradation. However, efficiencies of single and simple Fe-based MOFs still undergo restricted light absorption and weak charge separation. Assembly of different iron-based MOF building blocks into a hybrid MOF@MOF heterostructure reactor could be an encouraging strategy for the effective capture of antibiotics from the aqueous phase. This paper reports a new-style MIL-101(Fe)@MIL-100(Fe) photocatalyst, which was groundbreakingly constructed to realize a double win for boosting the performances of adsorption and photocatalysis. The optical response range, surface open sites, and charge separation efficiency of MIL-101(Fe)@MIL-100(Fe) can be regulated through accurate design and alteration. Attributed to the synergistic effects of double iron-based MOFs, MIL-101(Fe)@MIL-100(Fe) exhibits an excellent photocatalytic activity toward TC degradability compared to MIL-101(Fe) and MIL-100(Fe), which is even superior to those reported previously in the literature. Furthermore, the main active species of •O₂^- and h⁺ were proved through trapping tests of the photocatalytic process. Additionally, MIL-101(Fe)@MIL-100(Fe) possesses remarkable stability, maintaining more than 90% initial photocatalytic activity after the fifth cycle. In brief, MIL-101(Fe)@MIL-100(Fe) was highly efficient for TC degradation. Our work offers a new strategy for visible-light photodegradation of TC by exploring the double Fe-based MOF composite.

Surface-initiated polymerization of PVDF membrane using amine and bismuth tungstate (BWO) modified MIL-100(Fe) nanofillers for pesticide photodegradation

Pirimicarb as a pesticide is used to control the aphids in the agriculture field; however, it affects the groundwater ecosystem by leaching through the soil profile. The post-synthetic amine and BWO modified MIL-100 (Fe) nanofillers were synthesized. The photocatalytic property of amine-functionalized and BWO@MIL-100(Fe) nanofillers was confirmed by the lesser bandgap energy than the unmodified MIL-100 (Fe) nanofiller. Herein, we constructed a nanofillers grafted PVDF membrane via in-situ polymerization technique for the pirimicarb reduction and photodegradation. Furthermore, the nanofiller's grafted membranes were characterized by FESEM, XRD, FTIR, and contact angle analysis. The carboxylic acid peak was observed on the FTIR which demonstrated the PAA grafted on the membrane surface and similar crystalline peaks evident that the nanofillers were grafted on the membrane surface. Furthermore, surface morphology studies have exhibited the dispersion of nanofillers and enhanced microvoids in the cross-section of the membrane. The decrease in the water contact angle of the membrane depicted the improved antifouling properties and surface energy. The nanofiller's grafted membranes have shown higher hydrophilicity correlated well with the enhanced pure water flux in the order M4 > M5 > M2 > M3 > M6 > M7 compared to the neat membrane (M1). In BWO@MIL-100(Fe) membrane has shown a higher permeate flux (25.99 L m^-2.h^-1) than the neat PVDF membrane. The BWO@MIL-100(Fe) grafted PVDF membrane has also shown excellent pirimicarb photodegradation of 81% at pH 5. The proposed MIL-100 (Fe) and bismuth tungsten nanocomposite will pave the way for the different MOF-based photocatalytic materials for membrane-based pesticide degradation.

Co-doped Fe-MIL-100 as an adsorbent for tetracycline removal from aqueous solution

In the study, Fe-MIL-100 was modified by adding Co²⁺ in the synthesis process; Co/Fe-MIL-100 was successfully synthesized and used to adsorb tetracycline. The addition of Co²⁺ increased the thermal stability of Fe-MIL-100 without changing the crystal structure. It was found that Co/Fe-MIL-100 exhibited satisfactory performance in tetracycline removal, the tetracycline removal efficiency reached almost 100% in the initial concentration range of 10-40 mg/L, and it still reached 82.38% under the condition of 60 mg/L tetracycline. Besides, the factors of tetracycline concentration, pH and inorganic anion on removal efficiency were explored. The coexistence of inorganic anion decreased the adsorption capacity of tetracycline due to the competitive adsorption. CO₃^2- had a more obvious inhibition effect on the adsorption efficiency of tetracycline than Cl^-. The fitting correlation coefficient of Langmuir model was higher and the kinetics better fitted by pseudo-second-order, respectively. As a result of its high removal efficiency and excellent recycling performance, it has great potential in application fields such as removing tetracycline from wastewater.

Metal organic framework-based antibacterial agents and their underlying mechanisms

Bacteria, as the most abundant living organisms, have always been a threat to human life until the development of antibiotics. However, with the wide use of antibiotics over a long time, bacteria have gradually gained tolerance to antibiotics, further aggravating threat to human beings and environmental safety significantly. In recent decades, new bacteria-killing methods based on metal ions, hyperthermia, free radicals, physical pricks, and the coordination of several multi-mechanisms have attracted increasing attention. Consequently, multiple types of new antibacterial agents have been developed. Among them, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) appear to play an increasingly important role. The unique characteristics of MOFs make them suitable multiple-functional platforms. By selecting the appropriate metastable coordination bonds, MOFs can act as reservoirs and release antibacterial metal ions or organic linkers; by constructing a porous structure, MOFs can act as carriers for multiple types of agents and achieve slow and sustained release; and by designing their composition and the pore structure precisely, MOFs can be endowed with properties to produce heat and free radicals under stimulation. Importantly, in combination with other materials, MOFs can act as a platform to kill bacteria effectively through the synergistic effect of multiple types of mechanisms. In this review, we focus on the recent development of MOF-based antibacterial agents, which are classified according to their antibacterial mechanisms.

MIL-100(Fe)-Hybridized Nanofibers for Adsorption and Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Water Pollutants: Experimental and DFT Approach

As rapid industrial growth spawns severe water contamination and a far-reaching impact on environmental safety, the development of a purification system is in high demand. Herein, a visible light-induced photocatalytic adsorbent membrane was developed by growing a porous metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-100(Fe) crystals, onto electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, and its purification capability by adsorption and the photocatalytic effect was investigated. As water-soluble organic foulants, a cationic dye, rhodamine B (RhB), and an anionic dye, methyl orange (MO), were employed, and the adsorption/desorption characteristics were analyzed. Since MIL-100(Fe) possesses positive charges in aqueous solution, MO was more rapidly adsorbed onto the MIL-100(Fe) grown PAN membrane (MIL-100(Fe)@PAN) than RhB. Under visible light, both photocatalytic degradation and adsorption occurred concurrently, facilitating the purification process. The reusability of MIL-100(Fe)@PAN as an adsorbent was explored by cyclic adsorption-desorption experiments. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations corroborated higher binding energy of charged MO over RhB and demonstrated the possible steric hindrance of RhB to adhere in MOF pores. The emphasis of the study lies in the combined investigation of the experimental approach and DFT calculations for the fundamental understanding of adsorption/desorption phenomena occurring in the purification process. This study provides theoretical support for the interaction between MOF-hybrid complexes and contaminants when MOF-hybridized composites adsorb or photodegrade water-soluble pollutants of different charges and sizes.

ZIF-8-derived photocatalyst membrane for water decontamination: From static adsorption-degradation to dynamic flow removal

Photocatalysis has been considered a promising method for environmental purification. However, powder nanomaterials are not suitable for large-scale application due to the limit of low recyclability and energy-intensive operation. Integrating and depositing powder photocatalysts on monolithic substrates may solve these issues. In this study, a ZIF-8 photocatalyst membrane and its derived product (ZnS photocatalyst membrane) was constructed by a facile in-situ treatment of cellulose-based substrate (take filter paper as an example). Both the two nanomaterials were confirmed to be tightly anchored to filter paper with the aid of chemical interaction. Under visible light irradiation, excellent dynamic-flow photocatalytic removal efficiencies of methylene blue (MB) degradation (97% within 80 min, k = 0.042 ± 0.002 min^-1) and Cr(VI) reduction (100% within 60 min, k = 0.116 ± 0.007 min^-1) were achieved by the prepared ZIF-8 photocatalyst membrane and its derived ZnS photocatalyst, respectively. Considering the high MB adsorption capacity and facile regeneration process of ZIF-8 photocatalyst membrane, the adsorption-degradation strategy was promising for its universal applications. The MB degradation pathway and photocatalytic mechanisms were also explored. Ultimately, a comprehensive discussion on the advantages and implications of prepared photocatalyst membranes for photocatalytic water treatment was rationally proposed. This study provided a promising method for water decontamination and demonstrated the significant superiority of monolithic membrane for photocatalytic water treatment.

Layer-by-layer coating of MIL-100(Fe) on a cotton fabric for purification of water-soluble dyes by the combined effect of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation

Efforts have been made for sustainable development of adsorbents to purify organic contaminants from wastewater. In this study, a MIL-100(Fe) based textile that acts as a reusable adsorbent and photocatalytic agent was developed by synthesizing MIL-100(Fe) onto a cotton fabric by the layer-by-layer (LBL) process using water-based solutions. As the number of LBL cycles increased, the add-on's of MIL-100(Fe) showed a drastic increase up to 8 cycles, then showed gradual increases with further treatments. The overall adsorption performance was enhanced with the increased MIL-100(Fe) add-on's, but the specific adsorption efficiency per unit mass of MIL-100(Fe) was reduced as the LBL cycles increased, implying the reduced average adsorption efficiency with a thicker coating. To examine the reusability of the adsorbent, desorption efficiency of RhB was measured. The desorption after the first-time adsorption was not efficient due to the strong binding inside the pores. For the later cycles of adsorption–desorption, desorption occurred more efficiently, probably because RhB molecules were adhered mostly at the outer surface of the MOF layer. Simultaneously, MIL-100(Fe)@cotton demonstrated the photocatalytic degradation performance against RhB in the presence of H₂O₂ by the Fenton reaction. With the combined effect of adsorption and photodegradation, the developed fabric attained 96% removal efficiency for RhB dissolved in water. This study demonstrates an environmentally responsible process of developing a MIL-100(Fe) coated fabric that is readily available for effective removal of organic foulants in water. This fabrication method can be applied as a scalable manufacturing of metal–organic framework-based photocatalytic adsorbent textiles.

A MIL-100(Fe)-based water purifying textile that functions by dual action of adsorption and photocatalytic activity is designed via a layer-by-layer process without using toxic organic solvents.

One-pot synthesis of oxygen-vacancy-rich Cu-doped UiO-66 for collaborative adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin

UiO-66, as one of the most stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), has attracted a lot of attention in the field of adsorption and photocatalysis. However, this application of UiO-66 is still limited due to either the low accessibility of micropores or the poor electron-hole charge separation capability. This study aims to promote UiO-66 accessibility of micropores and charge separation through the construction of oxygen vacancies (OVs) and mesopore defects as well as copper incorporation. Herein, mesopore Cu doped UiO-66 with rich OVs was synthesized by a one-pot method and demonstrated high efficiency for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from the aquatic system. First of all, denatured mesopore defects were produced in Cu doped UiO-66 which possessed a 58% increase in specific surface area compared to UiO-66, facilitating the adsorption of molecular oxygen. Secondly, e^- was preferentially trapped by OVs under light irradiation. Electron (e^-) reacted rapidly with the surface adsorbed oxygen to generate superoxide radical (O₂^-). Meanwhile, copper incorporation increased the photocurrent and reduced the interfacial charge transfer resistance, thereby improving the charge separation efficiency. As a result, the adsorption efficiency and photocatalytic performance of mesopore Cu doped UiO-66 with OVs were 8.1 and 3.7 times higher than those of UiO-66, respectively. This study paved a way for the one-step synthesis of MOFs containing OVs and broadened the possibilities of practical applications for photo-induced removal of antibiotics from effluent.

Recent advances in performance improvement of Metal-organic Frameworks to remove antibiotics: Mechanism and evaluation

Antibiotic pollution is a serious global problem, which may threaten the health of human and ecosystem. Thereinto, water pollution is the most common way. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective methods to remove antibiotics from the natural aqueous environments. Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) - based adsorption and photocatalysis strategies have been demonstrated to be efficient, environmental and promising methods to solve antibiotic pollution and repair the environment. In this review, several strategies to improve the properties of MOFs for removal were summarized and discussed. And the removal mechanisms were also discussed. Besides, new and more reliable evaluation methods of MOFs to remove antibiotics were presented, including preferential adsorption (q_p), quantum yields (QY), space time yields (SY) and figure of merit (FOM). This paper provides alternative perspectives for researchers to improve the properties of MOFs and raise analytic efficiency of antibiotic removal.

Green synthesis of MIL-100(Fe) derivatives and revealing their structure-activity relationship for 2,4-dichlorophenol photodegradation

MIL-100(Fe), a kind of iron-based metal-organic framework materials (MOFs), can be synthesized at room temperature or hydrothermal conditions, which are promising precursor materials for preparing photocatalysts to degrade some recalcitrant chlorophenols in industrial wastewater. However, the relationship between the structural characterization of MIL-100(Fe) derivatives and their photodegradation behavior of chlorophenol pollutants is still unclear. Thus, in this work, a porous Z-scheme α-Fe₂O₃/MIL-100(Fe) composite was successfully fabricated via partial-pyrolysis of MIL-100(Fe) precursor synthesized through green synthesis route, which was further used for degrading high-concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenol under visible-light illumination (λ > 420 nm). The effects of synthesis route and pyrolysis temperature of MIL-100(Fe) on the degradation efficiencies of as-derived materials for 2,4-dichlorophenol were investigated. The structure-activity relationship was illuminated in detail. Otherwise, the influence of several process factors, i.e., initial concentration and pH of the 2,4-dichlorophenol solution, catalyst dosage on the degradation efficiency of 2,4-dichlorophenol has also been performed. The removal efficiency of 2,4-dichlorophenol with the initial concentration of 100 mg L^-1 reached up to 87.65% under optimized conditions. Lastly, the possible mechanism was explored based on trapping experiments and some other characterization results. The study in this paper not only exhibited new insight into the modified α-Fe₂O₃ material with high photocatalytic activity but also provided a promising method for treating wastewater containing 2,4-dichlorophenol or other similar organic pollutants.

Preparation of metal-free BP/CN photocatalyst with enhanced ability for photocatalytic tetracycline degradation

The successful application of photocatalysis in practical water treatment opreations relies greatly on the development of highly efficient, stable and low-cost photocatalysts. The low-cost metal-free photocatalyst made up of black phosphorus (BP) and graphitic carbon nitride (CN) was successfully constructed and firstly used for the photocatalytic treatment of antibiotic contaminants in this work. Compared with bare CN, the BP/CN photocatalyst exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic performance for tetracycline hydrochloride (HTC) degradation, that 99% of HTC was removed by 6BP/CN (doping amount of BP was 6%) within 30 min under the simulated visible-light irradiation. The efficiency was even comparable to those of some high-efficiency photocatalysts recently-reported such as Fe⁰@POCN, CuInS₂/Bi₂MoO₆ and Cu₂O@HKUST-1. Under natural sunlight illumination, the determined apparent rate constant for degradation of HTC by BP/CN was 2.7 times as that by P25 TiO₂. The experimental results indicated that loading BP on CN could enhance the separation of charge carriers and promote the ability of light absorption for visible-light, thus leading to a greater catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the influences of different operating variables (pH, water, ion and HTC concentration) on HTC degradation were studied in detail. Furthermore, the degradation pathway of HTC was also proposed. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of the BP/CN for production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was also studied, which could reach up to 501.04 μmol g^-1h^-1. It is anticipated that BP/CN photocatalyst could be used for practical water treatment.

Synthesis, modifications and applications of MILs Metal-organic frameworks for environmental remediation: The cutting-edge review

Ever-increasing anthropogenic activities are radically deteriorating the environment by causing severe pollution. Thus, curtailing the environmental pollution and promotion of sustainable development, are the hot issues confronted by scientists in this modern era. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been highly recognized as emerging promising materials for environmental remediation due to their versatile structure and extraordinary properties. Among them, MILs (MIL = Matérial Institute of Lavoisier) are the series of MOFs mostly known for their incredible stability, unique tailorable pore structures, and astounding versatile environmental applications. Their exclusive physiochemical properties and multifunctionality make them proficient for a wide range of pollutants removal in the exposure of versatile harsh environments, compared to other MOFs. This piece of research summarizes the state-of-the-art of development of MILs on the broad spectrum, highlighting their specificities, such as synthesis techniques, modifications and applications for environmental remediation. However, MILs wonderful properties and extraordinary applications in multiple fields, their deployment on practical and commercial-scale pollutants remediation is hindered by insufficient scientific research on underlying mechanisms and relationships. Henceforth, this review not only signifies the emerging importance of MILs for environmental applications but also indicates the urgency to maximize the scientific research for exploitation of MOFs on a practical level and promotion of green technologies for environmental remediation.

MXenes based nano-heterojunctions and composites for advanced photocatalytic environmental detoxification and energy conversion: A review

Extensive research is being done to develop multifunctional advanced new materials for high performance photocatalytic applications in the field of energy production and environmental detoxification, MXenes have emerged as promising materials for enhancing photocatalytic performance owing to their excellent mechanical properties, appropriate Fermi levels, and adjustability of chemical composition. Numerous experimental and theoretical research works implied that the dimensions of MXenes have a significant impact on their performance. For photocatalysis to thrive in the future, we must understand the current state of the art for MXene in different dimensions. Using MXene co-catalysts in widely used in photocatalytic applications such as CO₂ reduction, hydrogen production and organic pollutant oxidation, this study focuses on the most recent developments in MXenes based materials, structural modifications, innovations in reaction and material engineering. It has been reported that using 5 mg of CdS-MoS₂-MXene researchers were able to generate as high as 9679 μmol/g/h hydrogen under visible light. The MXenes based heterojunction photocatalyst Co₃O₄/MXene was utilized to degrade 95% bisphenol A micro-pollutant in just 7 min. Numerous novel materials, their preparations and performances have been discussed. Depending upon the nature of MXene-based materials, the synthesis techniques and photocatalytic mechanism of MXenes as co-catalyst are also summarized. Finally, some final thoughts and prospects for developing highly efficient MXene-based photocatalysts are provided which will indeed motivate researchers to design novel hybrid materials based on MXenes for sustainable solutions to energy and pollution issues.

Highly efficient removal of quinolones by using the easily reusable MOF derived-carbon

As anthropogenic antibiotics, quinolones, e.g., ofloxacin have adverse impacts on ecological systems and human heaths. The removal of quinolones is of great importance, and adsorption techniques have been widely used to remove this hazardous contaminant. However, a robust and easy-operating adsorbent is still emergently required due to the complex chemical structure of quinolones. In this study, we successfully synthesized the promising metallic carbons (MCs) containing carbon nanotubes and cobalt nanoparticles by carbonizing Zn/Co-ZIF at 900 °C. Three different molar ratios of Co and Zn were applied to optimize the adsorption capacity on ofloxacin (OFL). Results showed MC with molar ratio of Co and Zn at 3:1 (Co-CNT/NPC_3/1) achieved the maximal adsorption capacity to 118.3 mg g^-1. Its adsorption performance was satisfied in the pH range from 5 to 9 and ionic strengths at 0.01 M. The main mechanisms for these adsorptions were identified as electrostatic attraction, metal coordination and π-π EDA. Removal efficiencies of quinolones higher than 68 mg g^-1 indicated the strong feasibility of this adsorbent for wastewater treatments. The regeneration of Co-CNT/NPC_3/1 at 600 °C allowed its at least 4-time reusability and its magnetic property enabled external magnets to recycle it from real environments.

Enhanced activation of persulfate by CuCoFe2O4@MC/AC as a novel nanomagnetic heterogeneous catalyst with ultrasonic for metronidazole degradation

In this study, the degradation of Metronidazole (MNZ) using CuCoFe₂O₄@MC/AC catalyst synthesized by microwave-assisted method, as an efficient activator for persulfate (PS) in the presence of ultrasonic (US: 60 kHz) was investigated. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)-Mapping and Line scan, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted to characterize the structure of CuCoFe₂O₄@MC/AC catalyst and then the catalyst dose, PS dose, MNZ concentration, and pH parameters were optimized. The maximum MNZ degradation of 93.78 % was achieved after 15 min reaction at the optimized operation conditions: 0.4 g L^-1 of catalyst, 6 mM of PS, 5 mg L^-1 of MNZ, and pH of 3. The removal efficiency of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) was 87.5 % under optimal conditions. According to kinetic equations, it was found that the MNZ degradation followed both kinetics (pseudo-first-order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood) based on the coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.949, 0.9716, 0.9073, 0.9721, and 0.9662 at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30, respectively. The surface reaction rate constant (K_c) and the adsorption equilibrium constant (K_L-H) of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model were 0.81 (mg L^-1 min^-1) and 2.184 (L mg^-1), respectively. The free radical scavenging experiments were conducted to illustration the proposed mechanism, which shown that the SO₄^-• was the predominant radicals involved in MNZ degradation. Finally, the regeneration of the catalyst was investigated and showed that after five cycles of use and regeneration by chemical and thermal methods, this catalyst has acceptable chemical stability.

Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by metal-organic frameworks modified with Bi2WO6 nanosheet under direct sunlight

Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with visible-light response have attracted much attention in the field of environmental purification and solar energy conversion. In this study, MIL-100(Fe) was modified with Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets by a facile hydrothermal method to fabricate a photocatalyst with direct Z-scheme heterojunction. When treating the tetracycline (TC) solution under natural sunlight, 12 wt%MIL-100(Fe)/Bi₂WO₆ obtained the highest apparent rate constant of (6.59 ± 0.52)✕10^-3 L mg^-1 min^-1, which was 16.1 and 3.9 times than that of pristine MIL-100(Fe) and Bi₂WO₆, respectively. In addition to explore the feasibility of sunlight-activated MIL-100(Fe)/Bi₂WO₆ to remove TC under various conditions, the degradation intermediates and their possible transformation pathway were provided with the aid of three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix spectra and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system. The results of Escherichia coli culture demonstrated that the biotoxicity variation of TC solution would first increase and then decrease with the photodegradation time. Ultimately, based on the results of bandgap calculation, radicals trapping and charge flow tracking experiments, the direct Z-scheme heterojunction between MIL-100(Fe) and Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets was confirmed and the photocatalytic mechanism for TC degradation was rationally proposed. This work enriched MOFs-based heterojunction photocatalysts and provided a promising method to eliminate hazardous TC from aqueous solution.

A BiOBr/Bi4MoO9 edge-on heterostructure with fast electron transport for efficient photocatalytic activity

This study demonstrates the rational design and construction of a BiOBr/Bi₄MoO₉ edge-on heterostructure by growing fish scale-like BiOBr nanosheets on the surface of Bi₄MoO₉. Such structural and compositional merits expedite electron transport and offer a large interfacial contact area and abundant reactive sites. Optimized BiOBr/Bi₄MoO₉ exhibited outstanding TC degradation activity.

Preparation of novel and highly active magnetic ternary structures (metal-organic framework/cobalt ferrite/graphene oxide) for effective visible-light-driven photocatalytic and photo-Fenton-like degradation of organic contaminants

Herein, MIL-101(Fe), CoFe₂O₄, novel binary (MIL-101(Fe)/CoFe₂O₄, MIL-101(Fe)/GO and CoFe₂O₄/GO), and ternary (MIL-101(Fe)/CoFe₂O₄/(3%)GO and MIL-101(Fe)/CoFe₂O₄/(7%)GO) magnetic composites based upon the MIL-101(Fe) were synthesized. The XRD, FESEM, TEM, EDX, BET-BJH, FTIR, VSM, DRS, PL, EIS and other electrochemical analyses were applied to characterize samples. The MIL/CoFe₂O₄/(3%)GO demonstrated the best performance compared to other samples for visible light photocatalytic and photo-Fenton-like degradation of Direct Red 23 (DtR-23), Reactive Red 198 (ReR-198) dyes as well as Tetracycline Hydrochloride (TC-H) antibiotic. Degradation of dyes using the ternary composite after 70 min of visible light irradiation was greater than that of 99%. The presence of the optimum GO as a strong electron acceptor in MIL/CoFe₂O₄/(3%)GO not only led to the effective separation of charge carriers and thus reduction of their recombination but also increased the absorption of visible light. The composite possessed good durability in terms of stability and reusability. The PL, EIS and electrochemical analyses indicated that the MIL/CoFe₂O₄/(3%)GO improved the optical properties and photocatalytic performance.

Boron nitride quantum dots decorated MIL-100(Fe) for boosting the photo-generated charge separation in photocatalytic refractory antibiotics removal

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have great potential for photocatalysis, but only possess moderate activity due to their slow charge transfer and low solar energy conversion. Herein, heterostructures photocatalysts constructed by boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) and MIL-100(Fe) (MNB) were successfully fabricated for overcoming these shortcomings. It was indicated that the composites possessed large surface area, mesoporous structure, and enhanced visible light absorption. The MNB photocatalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) degradation under visible light irradiation. Compared with MIL-100(Fe), the photodegradation rate of TC-HCl by MNB-1 was 0.02383 min^-1, which was 5.3 times higher than that of pure MIL-100(Fe). The close contact of MIL-100(Fe) with BNQDs and the synergistic effect between them were the main reasons for the improved photodegradation performance. This study reveals that a rational combination of MIL-100(Fe) and BNQDs can improve photocatalytic activity to enhance molecular oxygen activation. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that quantum dots/MOFs photocatalysts have great potential in environmental remediation.

A review of metal organic framework (MOFs)-based materials for antibiotics removal via adsorption and photocatalysis

Antibiotic abuse has led to serious water pollution and severe harm to human health; therefore, there is an urgent need for antibiotic removal from water sources. Adsorption and photodegradation are two ideal water treatment methods because they are cheap, simple to operate, and reusable. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are excellent adsorbents and photocatalysts because of their high porosity, adaptability, and good crystal form. The aim of this study is to suggest ways to overcome the limitations of adsorption and photocatalysis treatment methods by reviewing previous applications of MOFs to antibiotic adsorption and photocatalysis. The different factors influencing these processes are also discussed, as well as the various adsorption and photocatalysis mechanisms. This study provides a valuable resource for researchers intending to use MOFs to remove antibiotics from water bodies.

Strategic Doping Approach of the Fe-BiOI Microstructure: An Improved Photodegradation Efficiency of Tetracycline

The present study describes the strategic doping of Fe metal ions into a BiOI microstructure using ex situ and in situ processes to synthesize a Fe-BiOI microstructure and their effect on photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC). The data suggested that in situ Fe-BiOI (Fe-BiOI-In) has superior performance compared to ex situ Fe-BiOI (Fe-BiOI-Ex) due to the uniform dispersion of Fe within the Fe-BiOI material. Calculated bandgaps ∼1.8, ∼1.5, and 2.4 eV were observed for BiOI (without Fe), Fe-BiOI-In, and Fe-BiOI-Ex, respectively. Interestingly, Fe incorporation within BiOI might decrease the bandgap in Fe-BiOI-In due to the uniform distribution of metal ions, whereas increasing the bandgap in Fe-BiOI-Ex attributed to nonuniform distribution or agglomeration of metal ions. The uniform dispersion of Fe within Fe-BiOI modulates electronic properties as well as increases the exposure of Fe ions with TC, thereby higher degradation efficiency of TC. The in situ Fe-BiOI material shows 67 and 100% degradation of TC at 10 and 1 mg/L, respectively. The TC degradation was also found to be pH-dependent; when increasing the pH value up to 10, 94% degradation was achieved at 10 mg/L within 60 min of solar irradiation. The analysis was also performed over BiOI, which proves that Fe has a profound effect on TC degradation as Fe(II) tends to trigger oxidation-reduction by utilizing the chelate formation tendency of TC. Therefore, the prepared Fe-BiOI-In has the potential ability to degrade pharmaceutical compounds, especially, TC from wastewater.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline by a Novel (CMC)/MIL-101(Fe)/β-CDP Composite Hydrogel

Herein, we report a novel carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/MIL-101 (Fe)/poly(β-cyclodextrin) (β-CDP) hydrogel with high photocatalytic activity. β-CDP can significantly enhance the photoactivity of MIL-101(Fe) in the hydrogel prepared by a simple solvothermal method. The structure and property of this composite hydrogel were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Tetracycline was selected as a model pharmaceutical antibiotic to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the composite hydrogel under visible light irradiation and darkness, respectively. This composite hydrogel shows excellent activity for degrading pharmaceutical antibiotics under visible light irradiation. The increased photocatalytic activity can be attributed to β-CDP, which acts as a promoter and affords an efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs of MIL-101(Fe). Moreover, the composite hydrogel is shown to have good water retainability. The hydrogel is inexpensive and shows high photocatalytic activity. Hence, it can be used as an efficient photocatalytic material.