Boosting photoelectricity based on self-supported flexible metal–organic framework arrays for photo-Fenton-like degradation of organic pollutants

Abstract

Utilisation of highly efficient catalysts for photo-Fenton-like reactions, although challenging, is urgently desired to alleviate the serious global burden caused by organic pollutants. In this work, an example of two-dimensional (2D) porphyrin (TCPP) MOF arrays vertically grown on a copper foam (CF) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The honeycomb-like structure offers a large surface area and capacious porous space for fast mass transfer and enrichment of organic pollutants. The highly dispersed active site (M–N₄) of nanosheet arrays promotes the utilization of visible light to generate and separate photoelectrons and holes. In addition, the photocatalytic efficiency was further strengthened by the introduction of bimetallic sites. The macro-integrated structure can be conveniently recovered for cyclic catalysis, thus reducing costs and avoiding secondary pollution. These features together permit the self-supported 2D TCPP-MOF array's remarkable performance in persistent mineralization of various organic pollutants with different surface charges owing to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study provides a general method to rationally design and optimize photo-Fenton-like catalytic performance based on 2D MOFs for water remediation.