Ferric acetylacetonate/covalent organic framework composite for high performance photocatalytic oxidation

Ferric acetylacetonate/covalent organic framework (Fe(acac)3/COF) composite was synthesized by interfacial polymerization method at room temperature. The crystal structure, morphology and porosity property of the composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and nitrogen adsorption. The interaction between Fe(acac)3and COF was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Fe(acac)3/COF composite was used as a photocatalyst for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol under mild conditions. It exhibits high activity and selectivity for the reaction, of which the mechanism was investigated by determining its photoelectric properties. The Fe(acac)3/COF catalyst developed in this work has application potential in other photocatalytic reactions.