Facile synthesis of laccase mimic Cu/H3BTC MOF for efficient dye degradation and detection of phenolic pollutants

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 9; no. 70; pp. 40845 - 40854
• Main Authors: Shams, Saira, Ahmad, Waqas, Amjad Hussain Memon, Yun, Wei, Yuan, Qipeng, Liang, Hao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 2019; The Royal Society of Chemistry
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Chemistry; Copper; Degradation; Dyes; Epinephrine; Laccase; Metal-organic frameworks; Oxidation; Phenols; Pollutants; Reagents; Recyclability; Room temperature; Storage stability; Trimesic acid
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ra07473b

Herein, we report an effectual method for designing a novel form of nanozyme laccase mimic namely Cu/H3BTC, using copper ions and 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid (1,3,5-H3BTC). This Cu-based metal–organic framework (MOF) was synthesized through a simple procedure of mixing of two usual reagents at room temperature. Amido Black 10B (AB-10B) was chosen as a model dye for degradation consequences. Results showed that Cu/H3BTC MOF revealed significantly higher catalytic efficacy under certain conditions like high pH, extreme temperature and high salt conditions and it has long-term storage stability, which can lead to a significant decline in catalytic activity of laccase. In addition, the degradation of AB-10B was up to 60% after ten cycles, showing good recyclability of Cu/H3BTC MOF. The UV-visible spectral changes clearly showed that Cu/H3BTC MOF is an effective laccase mimic for the degradation of azo dye AB-10B, which was degraded more easily within the time duration of 60 min. The Cu/H3BTC MOF also possessed fundamental activities like laccase with regard to oxidation of the phenolic compounds. Moreover, a technique for the quantitative detection of epinephrine by Cu/H3BTC MOF was established. These findings help to understand the laccase-like reactivity and provide a basis for the future design and application of metal-based catalysts.