Glutamic Acid-Grafted Metal-Organic Framework: Preparation, Characterization, and Heavy Metal Ion Removal Studies

Fast industrial and agricultural expansion result in the production of heavy metal ions (HMIs). These are exceedingly hazardous to both humans and the environment, and the necessity to eliminate them from aqueous systems prompts the development of novel materials. In the present study, a UIO-66 (COOH)2 metal-organic framework (MOF) containing free carboxylic acid groups was post-synthetically modified with L-glutamic acid via the solid-solid reaction route. Pristine and glutamic acid-treated MOF materials were characterized in detail using several physicochemical techniques. Single-ion batch adsorption studies of Pb(II) and Hg(II) ions were carried out using pristine as well as amino acid-modified MOFs. We further examined parameters that influence removal efficiency, such as the initial concentration and contact time. The bare MOF had a higher ion adsorption capacity for Pb(II) (261.87 mg/g) than for Hg(II) ions (10.54 mg/g) at an initial concentration of 150 ppm. In contrast, an increased Hg(II) ion adsorption capacity was observed for the glutamic acid-modified MOF (80.6 mg/g) as compared to the bare MOF. The Hg(II) ion adsorption capacity increased by almost 87% after modification with glutamic acid. Fitting results of isotherm and kinetic data models indicated that the adsorption of Pb(II) on both pristine and glutamic acid-modified MOFs was due to surface complexation of Pb(II) ions with available -COOH groups (pyromellitic acid). Adsorption of Hg(II) on the glutamic acid-modified MOF was attributed to chelation, in which glutamic acid grafted onto the surface of the MOF formed chelates with Hg(II) ions.