Ultrafast piezo-photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants using UiO-66-NH2(Hf) metal-organic framework-based nanoparticles

Due to a synergistic effect of piezo-catalysis and photocatalysis, piezo-photocatalysis is gaining popularity as an effective approach to remove organic pollutants. In this work, single-component piezo-photocatalytic nanoparticles of UiO-66-NH2(Hf) metal-organic frameworks were prepared by a hydrothermal process with an average diameter of ∼52.6 nm. An ultrafast piezo-photocatalysis degradation of RhB solution was achieved by using the UiO-66-NH2(Hf) nanoparticles. Under UV light and ultrasound irradiation, the percentage of dye degradation for an initial RhB concentration of 5 mg/L reached 91 % in 60 s. The removal mechanism of RhB was investigated via capture experiments of active species, which revealed that the hydroxyl radicals and hole play a key role in the degradation of RhB. This work provides a reference for the piezo-photocatalytic capability and the underlying mechanism of single-component metal-organic framework based nanomaterials, promoting their further development in technological applications involving highly efficient catalysts.