Thiol decorated defective metal–organic frameworks embedded with palladium nanoparticles for efficient Cr(vi) reduction

Abstract

Defective UiO-66 with suspended thiol functional groups is constructed and used as a template for palladium nanoparticle synthesis. The anchoring thiol groups not only bind the nanoparticles firmly but also help in their uniform distribution throughout the MOF structure. The Pd nanoparticle incorporated UiO-66 acts as an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for the complete reduction of toxic hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) to Cr(III) within a very short time under visible light in aqueous medium.