A novel semi-flexible Cd(II)-MOF has been synthesized and characterized by variable temperature powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The material displays an unusual combination of thermal expansion (TE) i.e. negative, zero and positive, which is an extremely rare finding, especially for metal–organic frameworks as a result of a combined stretching–tilting mechanism.

A structural intermediate has been isolated for the first time during switching of interpenetration from twofold to threefold in the MOF [Co₂(ndc)₂(bpy)].

Photocatalytic degradation has emerged as one of the most efficient methods to eliminate toxic dyes from wastewater. In this context, graphitic nitride (g-C₃N₄) loaded BiVO₄ nanocomposites (5 wt% g-CN@BiVO₄ and 10 wt% g-CN@BiVO₄) have been fabricated by the wet impregnation method, and their efficiency towards photocatalytic removal of rhodamine B have been investigated under visible light irradiation. These hybrid composites have been characterized by XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, EDS-mapping, UV-Vis DRS, DLS, XPS and BET, etc. The HRTEM images revealed that BiVO₄ has a decagonal shape covered by a layered nanosheet-like structure of g-C₃N₄. BET measurements suggest increasing the proportion of g-C₃N₄ results enhancement of the specific surface area. Among different photocatalysts, the 10 wt% g-C₃N₄@BiVO₄ hybrid possesses the best catalytic activity with 86% degradation efficiency after 60 min of reaction time. The LC-MS studies suggest that the degradation reactions follow the de-ethylation pathway. Even after five cycles, the heterostructure shows only a 14% decrease in photocatalytic activity, confirming its stability. As a result, the binary composite can be regarded as a promising catalyst for the degradation of pollutants due to its ease of preparation, high stability and superior catalytic activity.