Bi(III) immobilization inside MIL-101: enhanced photocatalytic performance

A novel hybrid material Bi(III)@MIL-101 (Bi(III) = Bi-containing oxoclusters, MIL-101 = chromium(III) oxoterephthalate) has been obtained by the intra-pore hydrolysis of guest bismuth(III) chloride in ammonia solution. The compound was fully characterized by chemical analysis, PXRD, nitrogen sorption and TEM techniques. According to characterization techniques all Bi species are only inside matrix and elemental analysis reveals ca. 1 Bi atom per mesocage. The chemical structure of Bi(III)-containing clusters inside MIL-101 matrix has been suggested according to EXAFS study. The catalytic activity of Bi(III)@MIL-101 has been tested in photodegradation of methyl red (MR). An introduction of Bi(III)-species inside MIL-101 has significantly increased the photocatalytic performance in comparison with layered BiOCl which has been obtained in the same synthetic conditions without MIL-101.