Iron‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Reactive Orange 16 Textile Dye

Abstract

AbstractMIL‐88 MOFs have gained considerable attention as photocatalysts in environmental remediation due to their advantages such as stability, reusability, efficient light absorption, and charge separation capabilities. This study explores the potential of MIL‐88A, MIL‐88B, and NH2‐MIL‐88B for degrading the reactive orange 16 (RO16). MIL‐88 s were synthesized via solvo(hydro)thermal method and characterized using FTIR, PXRD, SEM, zeta potential, and UV‐DRS techniques. Photocatalytic degradations were conducted under UVA radiation, revealed a remarkable 93 % degradation rate. MIL‐88 s demonstrated exceptional performance and reusability, maintaining high efficiency even at 300 mg/L catalyst concentration. The photodegradation efficiencies of MIL‐88 A, MIL‐88B and NH2‐MIL‐88B for RO16 reach nearly 85 % within 120 minutes, 92 % within 60 minutes, 90 % within 75 minutes respectively. Even at a high initial concentration of 15 mg/L, the results underscore the significance of evaluating both initial efficiency and stability over multiple cycles, with MIL‐88B initially exhibiting the highest efficiency declining to 77 % by the fifth cycle, while MIL‐88 A maintained 54 % efficiency and NH2‐MIL‐88B sustained 72 % efficiency over the same period. Mechanistic elucidation identified O2⋅− and ⋅OH as the primary reactive radicals. This study is unique in being the first to explore the photocatalytic removal of RO16 using MIL‐88 s, providing a pioneering approach to sustainable water treatment.