Selective dual adsorption performance of hexagonal porous metal-organic framework rods towards CO2 gas and organic dye

Structurally diverse metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have drawn much attention as potential adsorbents for many contaminants. Herein, the present report demonstrates the enhanced dual adsorption properties of environmentally concerning carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and water-soluble organic dye on a single platform, i.e., Zn-5ASA_NDI-MOF, a hexagonal porous metal-organic framework (MOF) rod synthesized under simple solvothermal conditions. Subsequent experimental synthesis yielded a material which exactly fits the structure of MOF-74, with the desired surface area and pore dimensions as well. Moreover, sorption measurements revealed that the as-synthesized framework rods confirm a more than 60-fold higher uptake of CO2 gas over the other gases under ambient atmospheric conditions. The MOF also showed a 99% selective removal of organic dye from the aqueous phase which is a great advantage over other existing methods. Therefore, the present approach as a single platform has the potential to adsorb selectively and rapidly both the major contaminants of environmental concern and may create a consequential contribution to mitigate environmental issues.