Abstract

In this paper, to the utilization of the solar light as an unlimited and clean source of Energy, novel Ag2CrO4/Cu(BDC) metal–organic framework (MOFs) photocatalyst with different mass percentages of Cu(BDC) were synthesized for water purification applications under simulated solar light. The precipitation method was used to synthesize the Ag2CrO4/Cu(BDC) photocatalysts. Some techniques such as XRD, FESEM, EDX, TEM, BET-BJH, FTIR, DRS, and pHpzc were performed to determine the prepared samples' structural, chemical and optical properties. For instance, BET-BJH analysis outcomes illustrated that bare Ag2CrO4 has a low surface area that impedes the absorption of pollutant molecules. Whereas Ag2CrO4/Cu(BDC)(50) sample, due to the presence of Cu(BDC) and appropriately dispersion of Ag2CrO4 particles over Cu(BDC), has a vast specific surface area, pore-volume, pore diameter. Furthermore, DRS analysis demonstrated that Ag2CrO4/Cu(BDC)(50) has narrower bandgap energy in comparison with bare Cu(BDC) and it is capable of absorbing light in the visible light region. Additionally, the synthesized samples were considered for the solar-light-driven removal of different organic dyes like Acid Orange 7, Methylene blue, and Rhodamine B. The tremendous enhanced photocatalytic performance under the simulated solar light with 98 removal of AO7 was seen over Ag2CrO4/Cu(BDC)(50) sample. Then, the effect of initial solution pH, photocatalyst dosage, and initial dye concentration were studied as crucial parameters on photocatalytic performance. Finally, the reaction mechanism of AO7 degradation over Ag2CrO4/Cu(BDC)(50) was proposed. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.