Visible-Light Responsive Cu–MOF–NH2 for Highly Efficient Aerobic Photocatalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

The current study focuses on the photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in acetonitrile under air bubbling conditions comparing titania-based materials, Cu–MOF, and Cu–MOF–NH2 as semiconductor photocatalysts. catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TEM. conversion reached ~100% after exposing four prepared to a 125 W mercury lamp for up 240 min. Benzaldehyde is formed with moderate selectivity (after reaction time 60 ca. 30, 37 45% over catalysts, Cu–MOF–NH2, respectively). formation electron-hole pairs at surface nanoparticles followed was suggested mechanism. initial rate 4.6 4.7 mmol g–1 min–1 materials. Cu–MOF showed higher 6.1 9.1 min–1. According preliminary research, decorating MOF linker amine (MOF–NH2) could improve visible-light harvesting, charge separation, electron transport catalyst, resulting increased activity. work offers some directions development MOF-based photocatalysts organic synthesis.