MOF-tungsten composite (MIL-88B(Fe)@WO3) for photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine-B under UV light

Abstract

A MIL-88B(Fe)@WO₃ composite material was used in this work as a photocatalyst for degrading the synthetic dye rhodamine-B in water. The synthesis of MIL-88B(Fe)@WO₃ was achieved by the solvothermal technique at 150 °C for 12 h. The introduction of WO₃ into the MIL-88B(Fe) framework has a positive effect on the pore structure of the composite material produced. The BET surface area and total pore volume exhibit a direct proportionality to the magnitude of the applied WO₃ ratio. A reduction in the concentration of rhodamine-B was observed when the degradation of rhodamine-B was carried out in the presence of UV light and catalyst. However, this reduction was not as significant as the degradation of rhodamine-B in the presence of UV light, catalyst, and H₂O₂. The present study also provides the process underlying the photodegradation of rhodamine-B dyes. Except for the M₁W₂ catalyst, nearly all systems have a greater R² value for the first-order kinetic equation. The reusability analysis revealed a modest decrease in the performance of the M₁W₁ composite as the number of cycles increased. However, its efficacy remained largely unaffected even after undergoing a degradation reaction and subjected to several washings.