Ag+, Fe3+ and Zn2+-intercalated cadmium(II)-metal-organic frameworks for enhanced daylight photocatalysis

Design and synthesis of multi-dimensional metal-organic frameworks are fascinating because MOFs possess intriguing structures and unique properties and exhibit potential applications in photocatalysis. In the present study, we endeavoured to synthesize a new Cd-linked MOF through a simple hydrothermal route. The daylight utilising attributes of the Cd-MOF were enhanced by intercalating Ag+, Fe3+, and Zn2+ into the framework via an ion-exchange technique. The optical property shows that Fe3+ stimulates the photo response in the visible region, whereas Ag+ and Zn2+ stimulate the photo response in the ultraviolet light region. Photocatalytic efficiency of the developed MOFs was investigated by degradation of 2-CP under daylight illumination. The Cd-MOFs intercalated with Fe3+ exhibit excellent photocatalysis as compared to the rest, degrading 93% of 2-CP in 5 h of illumination. The intercalation of Fe3+ onto the Cd-MOF significantly reduced the energy gap of the pure MOF; this led to an increased formation of reactive oxygen species driven by the electrons (e(-)) and holes (h(+)). Thus, the developed modified MOF clearly demonstrated its capability as a daylight photocatalyst as compared to the existing conventional photocatalysts.