Insights into the Stability and Activity of MIL-53(Fe) in Solar Photocatalytic Oxidation Processes in Water

MIL-53(Fe) is a metal organic framework that has been recently considered heterogeneous photocatalyst candidate for the degradation of water pollutants under visible or solar radiation, though stability studies are rather scarce in literature. In this work, was successfully synthesized by solvothermal method and fully characterized X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS), UV-visible diffuse (DRS), elemental wavelength dispersive fluorescence (WDXRF). The effects pH, temperature, radiation presence oxidants (i.e., electron acceptors) such as ozone, persulfate hydrogen peroxide on were investigated. as-synthetized exhibited relatively good at pH 4 but suffered fast hydrolysis alkaline conditions. At 4–5, (solar radiation) exerted negative effect metal–organic (MOF) water, resulting non-negligible amounts (iron) linker (terephthalic acid, H2BDC) leached out from MIL-53(Fe). photocatalytic activity simulated studied using phenol metoprolol target pollutants. its own removed less than 10% after 3 h irradiation, while peroxide, complete elimination achieved within 2 exposure to radiation. However, formation some reaction intermediates (e.g., short-chain carboxylic acids) accelerated decarboxylation. findings work suggest should not be recommended treatment before carrying careful evaluation actual