Effects of different morphologies on the coordination environment of MOFs-derived MnOx/CoOx catalysts for highly active photothermocatalysis of 1,2-Propanediol and NO

Volatile organic pollutants (VOCs) can serve as an alternative to ammonia for NO reduction, thereby enabling the simultaneous removal of VOCs and NO. In this study, different morphologies of MnO x /CoO x catalysts derived from MOFs were controllably synthesized under various hydrothermal synthesis conditions for the simultaneous removal of 1,2-propanediol and NO. Among the various samples, sample A, characterized by its rod-like structure, demonstrated superior catalytic activity. It achieved simultaneous photothermal coupling for the degradation of 1,2-propanediol and NO under UV irradiation at 240 °C, with conversion rates reaching 52 % and 67 %, respectively. The morphology of the catalysts significantly influences their catalytic performance. The incorporation of Mn increased the structural disorder of the material, thereby reducing the coordination order of Co. This significant change in the coordination environment modulates the intrinsic catalytic activity of the samples, leading to distinct catalytic properties. Furthermore, the catalytic reaction mechanisms were clarified utilizing in-situ DRIFTS combined with calculations based on Density Functional Theory. Sample A, featuring abundant unsaturated cobalt and manganese defects within its distinctive coordination configuration, greatly promoted the conversion of 1,2-propanediol into crucial intermediate species. This study presents a novel approach for the synergistic removal of VOCs and NO x .