Novel Fe-MOF@Cu/NiAl-LDH as Photo-Catalysts in Methane Bireforming: Effect of Preparation Strategy

Abstract In this work, Fe-MOF@Ni/CuAl-LDH nanocomposites are developed for the first time in photocatalytic CO 2 /CH 4 conversion to ultrapure formaldehyde. The reaction takes place in a dynamic (continuous flow) photosystem working under atmospheric pressure in presence of visible-light irradiation. The visible-light-active photocatalysts are prepared using two strategies in order to enhance both morphology and optical properties of the new composite. First strategy based on growing of MOF on the in-situ N 2 exfoliated LDH using solvothermal reaction (FMN HT and FMC HT ), where, the MOF is formed on surface and/or inside lamellar layer. The second based on formation of LDH around the previously prepared Fe-MOF via microwave assisted method (NFM MW and CFM MW ). The data herein indicate that, both samples NFM MW and CFM MW , have LDH/MOF strong electronic coupling and exhibit an adjustable band gap share in improve charge generation/separation rate, reduce e − /h + recombination rate and increase light absorption capacity. Those characteristics provide higher efficiency in photocatalytic CH 4 /CO 2 conversion and give high selectivity toward ultrapure formaldehyde formation (99.9%).