Oxygen vacancy-rich Bi2MoO6 anchored on cuboid metal-organic frameworks for photocatalytic elimination of Cr(VI)/2-nitrophenol mixed pollutants

Oxygen vacancy-rich Bi2MoO6 nanoflakes were uniformly anchored on cuboid MIL-121 via benign solvothermal and thermal-reduction methods. Benefiting from the efficient light capture and rich electron traps triggered by oxygen vacancies, intimate interface contact and intrinsic heterostructure, the enhanced separation and trans-portation rates of photo-induced charge carriers are achieved. Consequently, Bi2MoO6/MIL-121 with rich oxygen vacancies performs excellent photocatalytic activities, which are 4.8, 7.1, 1.4 times higher for Cr(VI) reduction, and 6.1, 5.4, 1.2 times higher for 2-nitrophenol degradation compared with those of Bi2MoO6, MIL-121 and Bi2MoO6/MIL-121 without oxygen-vacancies, respectively. Furthermore, thanks to the timely consumption of photo-induced electrons and holes by Cr(VI) reduction and 2-nitrophenol degradation, respectively, the corre-sponding photocatalytic efficiencies are further boosted in their coexistent environment. This work would enlighten the design of metal-organic framework-based (photo)catalysts for the treatment of complicated pollution.

Automated summary

Oxygen vacancy-rich Bi2MoO6 nanoflakes were anchored on cuboid MIL-121, resulting in enhanced separation and transportation rates of photo-induced charge carriers. The Bi2MoO6/MIL-121 with rich oxygen vacancies exhibited excellent photocatalytic activities for Cr(VI) reduction and 2-nitrophenol degradation. The timely consumption of photo-induced electrons and holes further boosted the photocatalytic efficiencies in their coexistent environment.