MIL-53 (Fe) as a promising photocatalyst for wastewater treatment

Abstract

MIL-53(Fe), as one of the metal-organic frameworks (MOF) belonging to the MIL (Material Institute Lavoisier) group, is considered to be a very promising compound in photocatalytic applications due to its advantages such as tunable structural and electronic properties. Among the three general synthesis methods for MIL-53(Fe), solvothermal, electrochemical, and microwave-assisted, the former is the most common. In this article, after reviewing the structure, synthesis methods, and photocatalytic applications of MIL-53(Fe), the properties of a sample produced via solvothermal at 120 ºC for 16h are investigated and its application in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue is evaluated. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) images of the sample prepared under these conditions showed an irregular morphology consisting of plates and spherical particles. The band gap energy of this sample was found to be 2.85 eV, and its photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of methylene blue was estimated to be more than 90%.