MIL-68(Fe) as an efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst for the treatment of a simulated waste-water contain Cr(VI) and Malachite Green

•MIL-68(Fe) was applied in the reduction reaction for the first time.•The sample could reduce Cr(VI) aqueous with a wide pH range.•The addition of the (NH4)2C2O4 could improve the Cr(VI) reduction rate.•MIL-68(Fe) is an efficient multifunctional photocatalyst for different pollution.

A highly effective Iron Metal-Framework photocatalyst (MIL-68(Fe)) has been successfully prepared via a facile solvothermal method under acidic condition. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum reveals that the absorption edge of MIL-68(Fe) is 440 nm. The flat-band potential of MIL-68(Fe) is −0.6 V vs. NHE at pH = 6.8, which is more negative than the redox potential of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) (+0.51 V, pH = 6.8). Consequently, it is thermodynamically permissible for the transformation of photogenerated electrons to the Cr(VI) to produce Cr(III). Moreover, MIL-68(Fe) could perform as an efficient photocatalyst towards the reduction of Cr(VI) aqueous with a wide pH range. After 5 min of visible light illumination (λ > 420 nm), almost 100% Cr(VI) can convert to Cr(III) with (NH4)2C2O4 as a scavenger (pH = 3), which is also higher than that of N-doped TiO2 (50%) and ZnO (7.6%) under identical conditions. Furthermore, MIL-68(Fe) is proved to perform as a highly efficient photocatalyst for remove of different aqueous contaminant with malachite green (MG) as a scavenger. Finally, a possible reaction mechanism has also been investigated in detail.

Graphical abstractMIL-68(Fe) exhibits a high performance in reduction of Cr(VI) aqueous with a wide pH range. Furthermore, MIL-68(Fe) is proved to perform as an efficient multifunctional photocatalyst for the reduction of Cr(VI) and oxidation of Malachite Green.Download high-res image (205KB)Download full-size image