Effective Cr(VI) reduction over high throughput Bi-BDC MOF photocatalyst

High throughput Bi-BDC metal-organic framework (BDC = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid) with uniform rod-like morphology was prepared by microwave-assisted method, which could accomplish completely photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction within 6.0 min under low-power LED UV light with the presence of tartaric acid (TA). The Cr(VI) reduction performance of as-prepared Bi-BDC photocatalyst was slightly influenced by the environmental factors including pH and different inorganic ions. The as-obtained Bi-BDC MOF could be used for five runs’ operation with constant photocatalysis performance. As well, the Cr(VI) reduction mechanism with the presence of TA over the Bi-BDC photocatalyst was clarified.