2,2’‐Bipyridine‐Derived Cobalt‐Based Porous Coordination Polymers for Selective Degradation of Anionic Dyes

Abstract 2,2’‐Bipyridine‐derived two chelating linkers containing two and three bipyridine units were synthesized and characterized. Solvothermal condensation of these linkers with Co(NO 3 ) 2 .6H 2 O generated cobalt‐based porous coordination polymers (Co‐PCPs). The scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the macroporous nature of the Co‐PCPs, with the highest surface area achieved up to 441.1 m 2 g −1 . The Co‐PCPs were found to be effective catalysts in the degradation of the anionic dyes, methyl orange (MO) and orange 2 (OII), in the presence of sodium borohydride. Also, the synthesized PCPs were found to selectively catalyse the degradation of anionic dyes from a mixture of dyes (~99 % degradation in 55 min). Regeneration studies showed that the PCPs could be regenerated and reused for more than five cycles with ~98 % retention of degradation efficiency and are promising materials for the selective degradation of anionic dyes from wastewater.