Dual-Functional Mesoporous Copper(II) Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Remediation of Organic Dyes

By using tritopic and ditopic organic linkers derived from the same 2,4,6-triphenylpyridine core, copper(II) metal-organic frameworks with different three-dimensional structures have been successfully synthesized under ambient conditions. The crystalline framework, ^PTB MOF ([Cu₃ (PTB)₂ (H₂ O)₃ ]_n , where H₃ PTB=4,4',4''-(pyridine-2,4,6-triyl)tribenzoic acid, was observed to be mesoporous in nature and exhibited dual functionality in the removal of organic dyes. While cationic dyes such as methylene blue and malachite green, which are of different sizes, were adsorbed by ^PTB MOF; anionic dyes such as tartrazine could be effectively degraded in a photo-Fenton-like reaction catalyzed by the MOFs under irradiation with visible light.