Design and synthesis of a homostructured MUT-16/MUT-17 nanocomposite via the epitaxial growth method as a photocatalyst for the degradation of Acid Red 33 under visible light

Abstract

MOF-on-MOF hybrids have gained prominence in photocatalysis research due to their ability to combine diverse inorganic components and organic ligands, with resulting effects on structural features such as the lattice parameters, pore size, and surface properties. However, precisely controlling the architecture and composition of these materials is a significant challenge. Only MOFs with similar and nearly identical crystallographic parameters can be hybridized by the epitaxial growth method (EGM). MUT-16 ([Co₂(DClTPA)₂(DABCO)]·(DMF)₄) and MUT-17 ([Ni₂(DClTPA)₂(DABCO)]·(DMF)₂) containing 2,5-dichloroterephthalic acid (DClTPA) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) were carefully selected due to their nearly identical crystallographic parameters for the synthesis of a homostructured MUT-16/MUT-17 nanocomposite, a choice that promises to unlock new possibilities in advanced materials development. First, MUT-16 (MUT = Materials from University of Tehran) with spherical morphology was synthesized, then MUT-17 nanorods were epitaxially grown on the MUT-16 host via a solvothermal method. The resulting homostructured MUT-16/MUT-17 nanocomposite exhibited photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 93.56% for Acid Red 33 after 180 min of visible-light irradiation.