Fabrication of a novel hybrid MIL-53(Fe)/MoSe2 with outstanding photocatalytic performances

As a new type of porous crystal nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have testified potential for various applications, particularly photocatalysis in recent years. However, their photocatalytic applications are still limited due to the rapid recombination rate of charge carriers. In this study, a facile method was developed successfully to greatly boost the sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity of a MOF material (MIL-53(Fe)) by construction of a hybrid with MoSe2 nanoparticles via a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The prepared catalysts were characterized in detail, and their photocatalytic performances were evaluated via degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC). The results revealed that the constructed MIL-53(Fe)/MoSe2 hybrid exhibited tremendously enhanced photocatalytic activity. The optimal MMS-4 photocatalyst displayed the best photocatalytic activity, and its degradation efficiencies for RhB and TC were 13 and 2 times higher than that of pristine MIL-53(Fe), respectively. More interestingly, its photocatalytic performance was much superior to previously reported MIL-53(Fe)-based photocatalysts. The significantly improved catalytic performances are attributed to the formed hybrid with well-matched energy bands which greatly facilitates the transfer and separation of charge carriers, decrease band gap, and increase light absorption. This work presents a new strategy to highly improve the photocatalytic performance of MOF nanomaterials and facilitate their applications for high-efficiency removal of organic pollutants.

Automated summary

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new type of porous crystal nanomaterials with potential for various applications. However, their photocatalytic applications are limited due to the rapid recombination rate of charge carriers. In this study, the researchers successfully enhanced the sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity of a MOF material by constructing a hybrid with MoSe2 nanoparticles. This work provides a new strategy to improve the photocatalytic performance of MOF nanomaterials.