MOF-derived nanostructured NiFe LDHs as catalysts for Bisphenol A degradation

• Fast MW-assisted topotactic conversion of sacrificial MIL-88A MOF into Ni 3 Fe-LDH. • 3D-nanostructured Ni 3 Fe-LDH nanoplatelets with rod-like morphology and improved surfaces. • Efficient activation of persulfate by Ni 3 Fe-LDH/88A for BPA catalytic degradation. • Chemical stability and reusability of Ni 3 Fe-LDH/88A catalyst. This study highlights the microwave-assisted (MW) synthesis of NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) from the conversion of MIL-88A, an iron-based metal organic framework. The use of MW appears as a superior activation method for producing highly crystalline, monodisperse nanoparticles of MIL-88A with uniform rod-like morphology. Firstly, the identification of optimal synthesis conditions (110 °C, 30 min) enabled the production of MIL-88A crystals with significantly enhanced crystallinity and structural integrity, as confirmed by XRD and FTIR analyses. SEM and TEM imaging revealed smooth microrods, contrasting with the irregular structures obtained under hydrothermal synthesis conditions. The process is faster, energy-efficient, and scalable, validating its advantages over traditional methods. Secondly, MIL-88A was successfully converted into Ni x Fe LDH via microwave heating in presence of Ni²⁺ nitrate and urea. This process utilized MIL-88A as both a structural template and an Fe³⁺ source. Under optimal conditions (110 °C, 60 min), complete transformation was achieved, as confirmed by XRD, which revealed the hexagonal LDH structure. SEM demonstrated petal-like LDH growth on MIL-88A rods, while nitrogen adsorption desorption analysis indicated a mesoporous structure with an increased surface area of 80 m²/g. Elemental mapping confirmed the uniform distribution of Ni, Fe, and O, highlighting the efficient integration of components. Finally, a comparative study of catalytic performance demonstrated the superior efficiency of Ni 3 Fe LDH/88A, achieving 81% BPA degradation within 10 min, significantly outperforming Ni 3 Fe LDH/COP (53%) and the precursor MIL-88A (21.8%). Kinetic modelling showed Ni 3 Fe LDH/88A higher rate constant (0.153 min⁻¹), highlighting its enhanced activity. BPA degradation was attributed to persulfate (PS) activation by Ni 2+ /Fe 3+ system. Reusability tests confirmed Ni 3 Fe LDH/88A stability, maintaining efficiency across multiple cycles with minimal structural changes. These findings emphasize the scalability and versatility of MIL-88A and NiFe LDH/88A for environmental remediation, positioning them as promising materials for advanced oxidation processes and sustainable catalytic applications. Efficient Ni3Fe LDH catalyst derived from MOF's conversion for BPA degradation.