Light-triggered reversible capture and non-destructive recovery of methylene blue using a photoresponsive Fe-Co metal-organic framework
Separation and Purification Technology, cilt.410, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 410
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.seppur.2026.139336
- Dergi Adı: Separation and Purification Technology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Capture-release systems, Fe-co bimetallic MOF, Hybrid metal-organic frameworks, Photo-switchable materials, Reversible host-guest interactions, Stimuli-responsive adsorption
- Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Stimuli-responsive materials that enable both pollutant removal and recovery are highly desirable for sustainable separation technologies, yet systems capable of reversible, non-destructive capture-release remain scarce. Herein, we report a photo-switchable Fe1Co3 metal-organic framework (MOF) that enables controlled adsorption and light-triggered release of methylene blue (MB) under mild conditions. The material exhibits efficient dye removal in the dark (removal efficiency up to 95%), driven by a combination of electrostatic and π–π interactions, while no spontaneous desorption occurs in the absence of light, confirming the stability of the adsorbed state. Upon visible-light irradiation, the system switches to release mode, enabling photodesorption without the need for chemical regenerants. Comprehensive structural analyses, including FTIR, 1H NMR, UV–Vis, and MALDI-MS, demonstrate that the recovered MB retains its original molecular structure, confirming that the process proceeds via a non-destructive, physically driven mechanism rather than photodegradation. Zeta potential measurements are consistent with light-induced modulation of surface charge, supporting a charge-modulation-driven desorption mechanism. The Fe1Co3 MOF maintains structural integrity and stable performance over repeated adsorption-photodesorption cycles, highlighting its strength as a reusable platform. By combining strong dark adsorption, light-controlled release, and intact dye recovery, this system introduces a photo-regulated capture-release strategy that moves beyond conventional irreversible adsorption processes. The ability to recover pollutants without chemical transformation provides a pathway toward circular dye management and low-energy, sustainable separation technologies.