The ortho-substituent effect regulating the separation of photogenerated carriers to efficiently photodegrade tetracycline on the surface of FeCo-based MOFs

It is feasible to improve the photodegradation efficiency of organic pollutants by metal-organic frameworks (MOF)-based semiconductors via ligand engineering. In this work, three (Fe/Co)-XBDC-based MOFs were synthesized by introducing different ortho-functional groups X (X = –H, –NO2, –NH2) next to the carboxyl group of the organic ligand (i.e., terephthalic acid). The analysis focused on the influence mechanism of the adjacent functional group effect of the ligand on the physicochemical properties of the material and the actual photodegradation activity of TC. Multiple pieces of evidences suggested that the differences in electron-induced and photocharge-transfer mechanisms of the above ortho functional groups affect the crystal morphology and photocatalytic activity of FeCo-MOF during pyrolysis. Interestingly, (Fe/Co)–NH2BDC exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under neutral conditions. The results of density functional theory show that the introduction of a strong donor-NH2 group can enhance light absorption and act as an “electron pump” to supply electrons to the iron center, accelerating the separation and efficient transport of photogenerated carriers on the ligand-metal bridge. In conclusion, this study is a proposal for a strategy of structural regulation for the enhancement of the catalytic activity of (Fe/Co)-MOFs in the photodegradation of TC. [Display omitted] •the ortho-functional group effect of ligand regulates the physicochemical microenvironment of (Fe/Co)-MOF-based catalysts.•Ortho-NH2 group induced the enhancement of optical absorption and the band gap decreasing of (Fe/Co)–NH2BDC.•The introduction of –NH2 acts as an electronic "acceleration pump" to facilitate the transfer and separation of carriers.•·O2−, h+ and ·OH active species were involved in TC photodegradation.•(Fe/Co)–NH2BDC exhibited good reusability and stability.