Adsorptive removal of organic dyes from aqueous solution by a Zr-based metal–organic framework: effects of Ce( iii ) doping

, exceeding those reported for pristine UiO-66 by 490, 270, and 70%, respectively. The above behavior was rationalized based on zeta potential and adsorption isotherm investigations, which revealed that Ce(iii) doping increases the number of adsorption sites and promotes π-π interactions between the adsorbent and the adsorbate, thus improving the adsorption capacity for cationic and anionic dyes and overriding the effect of electrostatic interactions. The obtained results shed light on the mechanism of organic dye adsorption on metal-organic frameworks, additionally revealing that the synergetic interplay of electrostatic, π-π, and hydrophobic interactions results in the operation of two distinct adsorption regimes depending on adsorbate concentration.