Core-shell Fe3O4@MIL-101(Fe) composites as heterogeneous catalysts of persulfate activation for the removal of Acid Orange 7

In this study, a novel core-shell Fe3O4@MIL-101 (MIL stands for Materials of Institute Lavoisier) composite was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method and was fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The composite was introduced as a catalyst to generate powerful radicals from persulfate for the removal of Acid Orange 7 in an aqueous solution. Effects of the central metal ions of MIL-101, amino group content of MIL-101, and pH were evaluated in batch experiments. It was found that both hydroxyl and sulfate radicals were generated; importantly, sulfate radicals were speculated to serve as the dominant active species in the catalytic oxidation of Acid Orange 7. In addition, a possible mechanism was proposed. This study provides new physical insights for the rational design of advanced metal-organic frameworks (MOF)-based catalysts for improved environmental remediation.