Atomic-layer Fe2O3-modified 2D porphyrinic metal-organic framework for enhanced photocatalytic disinfection through electron-withdrawing effect

In this work, an atomic-layer Fe2O3-modified two-dimensional (2D) porphyrinic metal-organic framework (MOF) was prepared (2D MOF-Fe2O3), which exhibits unique interfacial electron-withdrawing effect via charge transfer pathways from Zn2O8 and C-O bonds to Fe-O bonds. Concretely, the atomic-layer Fe2O3 is deposited on 2D porphyrinic MOF (ZnTCPP) by atomic layer deposition technique to enhance the photocatalytic performance and the subsequent bacteria-killing efficacy. After 20 min light irradiation, the photocatalytic antibacterial efficacy of 2D MOF-Fe2O3 can reach up to 99.9%. The underlying mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity is that the heterointerface between 2D MOF and Fe2O3 can facilitate the transfer of lots of photogenerated electrons from 2D MOF to Fe2O3, where 2D MOF and Fe2O3 act as electronic donator and receptor, respectively. This work provides an insight into developing highly effective photocatalysts by using electron-withdrawing modulator to optimize charge transfer pathway.