MOF-Derived Hollow Spheres of MIL-100(Fe)-NH2(20) with Well-Developed Hierarchical Mesoporous and Uniform Distribution of Fe and N Active Phases for the Photocatalytic Removal of Organic Dyes

For the first time, MIL-100(Fe)-derived microsphereswith a hollowstructure were perfectly constructed and used as a photocatalyst todecompose organic dyes under visible light irradiation. The preparedMIL-100(Fe)-NH2(20) could boost the separation, migration,and transfer of photoinduced carriers effectively, together with efficientphotocatalytic performance. In simulated sunlight, the MIL-100(Fe)-NH2(20) exhibits the best degradation efficiency as well as excellentreusability and stability, and the degradation rate for rhodamineB (RhB) can be more than 99.5% within 80 minutes. Structural analysisproves that the porous MIL-100(Fe)-NH2(20) catalyst reapsan amazing hollow structure, large specific surface areas (2784.9m(2)& BULL;g(-1)), and uniform distributionof Fe and N active phases. Besides, the enhanced visible light responseand lower recombination rate of e(-)-h(+) pairs are both confirmed, and the band gap is significantlyreduced to 2.53 eV. Finally, the photocatalytic mechanism and thepossible degradation pathway were suggested. Owing to the enhancedphotocatalytic activity, good tolerance to pH and water quality, andexcellent stability, the MIL-100(Fe)-NH2(20) catalyst canbe potentially used in a wide range of dye wastewater purifications.