Synthesis of MIL‐53(Fe) Metal‐Organic Framework Material and Its Application as a Catalyst for Fenton‐Type Oxidation of Organic Pollutants

The iron (III) benzene dicarboxylate metal‐organic framework material (MIL‐53(Fe)) was synthesized with either the solvent‐thermal or hydrothermal method under different conditions. The influence of the type of solvents, molar ratio of precursors and solvent, temperature, and reaction time on the structure of MIL‐53(Fe) was investigated. The material was characterized by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherm. The MIL‐53(Fe) structure formed in N′, N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and methanol (MeOH) but not in water. In DMF, the molar ratio of precursors and solvent, temperature, and reaction time had a significant effect on the crystal structure of MIL‐53(Fe). Under optimal conditions, MIL‐53(Fe) has high crystallinity and a large specific surface area ( S BET = 88.2 m 2 /g). The obtained MIL‐53(Fe) could serve as a potential heterogeneous catalyst to oxidize phenol (PhN), rhodamine B (RhB), and methylene blue (MtB) in the Fenton‐like reaction system at the different solution pHs.