Optimization of photocatalytic degradation performance of organic dye using highly efficient bismuth MOFs: Preparation and parametric analysis

Bismuth MOF catalysts were successfully fabricated using the solvothermal method, which involved the use of a mixed solvent composed of DMF and ethanol in varying vo-lume ratios. Subsequently, the catalysts underwent comprehensive characterization using diverse techniques i.e., FTIR, XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, UV-vis diffuse, and SEM-EDX. The photocatalytic degradation of RhB was investigated using six different bismuth MOF (BiEt) catalysts. Later, parametric analysis study was performed to test the BiEt catalysts under different values of pH, Rhodamine B (RhB) dye concentrations, and different scavengers. The results showed that BiEt1 had total surface area of 16.78 m2/g and pore volume of 0.025 cm3/g with a pore size of 1.5331 nm. The photocatalytic per-formance of the catalysts was assessed by quantifying the removal capacity and analyzing theUV-vis absorption spectra during the degradation of RhB. The results show that BiEt 1 had the highest photodegradation efficiency toward the RhB and that it required the shortest time of 60 min to achieve 100% removal. The UV-vis absorption spectra of BiEt catalysts during the degradation of RhB showed that the characteristic absorption wa-velength of RhB was observed at 576 nm. These findings suggest that the prepared BiEt was an exceptional photocatalyst for the degradation of RhB. It has great potential for environmental remediation applications. (c) 2023 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.