Tubular adsorption devices obtained via facile in-situ synthesis of metal‒organic framework particles in hydrogels

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and hydrogels have abundant pores, creating much potential for applications in water purification, organic dye adsorption, and so on. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or PVA/chitosan (CS) hydrogel tubes containing in-situ synthesized MOF particles were facilely synthesized, which are capable of removing dyes from flowing fluids. The state of polymer chains during synthesis has a significant impact on microstructures and properties of obtained MOF/hydrogel composites. Hierarchical pores and polar groups endow such devices with good adsorption performance. Besides, a tubular MOF/hydrogel device was found to display excellent flexibility and stability, in which brittle ZIF-8 particles were surrounded and protected by the soft hydrogel matrix effectively. This work supplies a facile and novel strategy to prepare soft MOF/hydrogel tubes for adsorption of pollutants as well as for other potential applications.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

metal–organic framework / hydrogel / adsorption / tubular device

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