Efficient photocatalytic degradation of methyl violet with two metall–organic frameworks

Abstract Two metal–organic frameworks, [Co2(L)(H2O)2(4,4′-bipy)]·3CH3CN (1) and [Mn2(L)(1,10-phen)(H2O)]·H2O (2) (H4L = 5-[bis(4-carboxybenzyl)-amino]isophthalic acid; 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), with two different N-donor ligands have been synthesized. The structures of both MOFs were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. MOF 1 shows 3D uncommon (4,6,6)-c net with (4.53.62)2(57.66.82)(42.54.66.72.8) topology while in the case of 2, only L4− ligands link Mn(II) ions into a 2D layer structure with chelating 1,10-phen ligand. The results demonstrate that variation in the N-donor ligands plays a pivotal role in deciding the framework of the two MOFs. Both MOFs have been exploited as photocatalyst materials for the degradation of MV. The photocatalysis results indicate that the two MOFs are stable and are prospective candidates for degradation of methyl violet under UV light irradiation. Additionally, 2 displayed superior photocatalytic activity in comparison to 1. The probable photocatalytic activity mechanism for both 1 and 2 against MV has been proposed using density of states (DOS) calculations.