A Bismuth-Based Metal–Organic Framework for\nVisible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Decolorization of Dyes and Oxidation\nof Phenylboronic Acids

Abstract

In this work, a Bi-based metal–organic\nframework (MOF; Bi-MMTAA)\nwith 2-mercapto-4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid (MMTAA) as the organic\nligand is synthesized. The crystal structure of Bi-MMTAA was determined\nby single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Theoretical calculations reveal\nthat Bi-MMTAA is a p-type semiconductor, and electrons can delocalize\nthrough the π-conjugation when excited by a photon with an energy\nhigher than the Bi-MMTAA band gap, which is beneficial to charge separation\nand transfer. The photoelectrical properties suggest that free electrons\ncan be produced over Bi-MMTAA under light irradiation. The photocatalytic\nresults suggest that Bi-MMTAA can decolorize rhodamine B (RhB) and\noxidize phenylboronic acid to phenol under visible light (λ\n> 420 nm), with superoxide radicals being the main reactive oxygen\nspecies. Our results enrich the family of Bi-based MOFs and may inspire\nfurther exploration of Bi-based MOFs, including both synthesis and\npotential applications.