Facile control of defect site density and particle size of UiO-66 for enhanced hydrolysis rates: insights into feasibility of Zr(IV)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts

•Modulated UiO-66 for high-performance hydrolysis was facilely synthesized.•Developed UiO-66 showed the substantially enhanced hydrolysis rate for MPO.•Feasibility of UiO-66 in detoxification of a CWA simulant was schematically evaluated.•This study suggested a new hydrolysis mechanism for MPO by UiO-66.