This study describes
the preparation of new bimetallic (Fe/Co)–organic
framework (Bi-MOF) nanocatalysts with different percentages of iron/cobalt
for their use and reuse in adsorption, antibacterial, antioxidant,
and catalytic applications following the principles of green chemistry.
The prepared catalysts were characterized using several techniques,
including X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,
transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
These techniques proved the formation of MOFs, and the average crystallite
sizes were 25.3–53.1, 27.6–67.2, 3.0–18.9, 3.0–12.9,
and 3.0–23.6 nm for the Fe-MOF, Co-MOF, 10%Fe:90%Co-MOF, 50%Fe:50%Co-MOF,
and 90%Fe:10%Co-MOF samples, respectively. The nanoscale (Fe/Co) Bi-MOF
catalysts as efficient heterogeneous solid catalysts showed high catalytic
activity with excellent yields and short reaction times in the catalytic
reactions of quinoxaline and dibenzoxanthene compounds, in addition
to their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, the
nanoscale (Fe/Co) Bi-MOF catalysts efficiently removed toxic metal
pollutants (Pb
2+
, Hg
2+
, Cd
2+
, and
Cu
2+
) from aqueous solutions with high adsorption capacity.