A dual-functional indium–organic framework towards organic pollutant decontamination via physically selective adsorption and chemical photodegradation

Through solvothermal reaction of In(NO3)3·5H2O and a highly conjugated carboxylate-based tritopic linker, a doubly interpenetrated indium–organic framework, 1, has been successfully prepared. As revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, the isolated 1 displays an anionic framework and channel-type interior spaces replete with imidazole rings and free carboxylate oxygens. Due to its unique structural features, 1 demonstrates not only selective adsorption of cationic MB concomitant with anionic MO molecules with high selectivity, uptake, and adsorption rate, and good reversibility and recyclability, but also photocatalytic activity to efficiently decompose dyes MB and MO under the illumination of either UV or visible light due to the formation of MB@1 and MO/1 composites. The new finding of visible light responsive MB@1 and MO/1 composites may open up more applications.