Pillar‐Layered Metal‐Organic Framework decorated onto TiO₂: An Efficient Photocatalyst for Mineralization of Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Abstract

Heterostructures of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and metal oxide nanostructured are extensively explored as promising photocatalysts owing to their combined advantages of the highly porous and molecular sieving characteristics of MOFs and the effectual features of encapsulated metal oxide nanostructures. Herein, we reported for the first time two novice hybrid materials abbreviated as PMOF‐55@TiO2 and PMOF‐56@TiO2 constructed by incorporation of Zn4(TRZ)4(2,6‐NDC)2.2DMFand Zn4(TRZ)4(2,4‐BDC)2. 2DMF (TRZ=1,2,4‐triazole, 2,6‐NDC=2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylic acids, and BDC=terephthalic acid) into the TiO2 nanostructure. The resultant heterostructures were explore for the photodegradation of three Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs (ibuprofen, salicylic acid, and aspirin). The successful fabrication of heterostructures was authenticated by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The surface morphological studies revealed the highly dense coating of MOFs nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2. The maximum % degradation i. e. (87.5 %, 88 %) IBU, (81.3 %, 86.5 %) SAL, (80 %, 85.5 %) ASP was achieved using PMOF‐55@TiO2 and PMOF‐56@TiO2 heterostructures with (catalyst dose‐0.6 g/L, and drug concentration‐5 mg/L) under UV light irradiation within 105 min. PMOF‐56@TiO2 is superior photocatalyst compare to PMOF‐55@TiO2 as confirmed by high rate constant (k) and lower half‐life time (t1/2) values of PMOF‐56@TiO2. Moreover, they also maintain a good recyclability performance.