Combination of Optimization and Metalated-Ligand Exchange: An Effective Approach to Functionalize UiO-66(Zr) MOFs for CO2 Separation

The strategy to functionalize water-stable metalorganic frameworks (MOFs) in order to improve their CO2 uptake capacities for efficient CO2 separation remains limited and challenging. We herein present an effective approach to functionalize a prominent water-stable MOF, UiO-66(Zr), by a combination of optimization and metalated-ligand exchange. In particular, by systematic optimization, we have successfully obtained UiO-66(Zr) of the highest BET surface area reported so far (1730 m(2)g(-1)). Moreover, it shows a hybrid Type I/IV N-2 isotherm at 77 K and a mesopore size of 3.9 nm for the first time. The UiO-66 MOF underwent a metalated-ligand-exchange (MLE) process to yield a series of new UiO-66-type MOFs, among which UiO-66-(COONa)(2)-EX and UiO-66-(COOLi)(4)-EX MOFs have both enhanced CO2 working capacity and IAST CO2/N-2 selectivity. Our approach has thus suggested an alternative design to achieve water-stable MOFs with high crystallinity and gas uptake for efficient CO2 separation.