Feasibility of NH2-MIL-125 as an Adsorbent for the Removal of Organic Pollutant in Water

Aaron Shun Yao Liew, Szea Err Teo, Sing Yew Nguang, Nur Syafiqah Rizalman, Norini Tahir, Suzanna Rosli Wong, Pak Yan Moh.

Titanium-based benzenedicarboxylate metal-organic framework (MIL-125) is a nanoporous material that exhibits high surface area and unique pore architecture. The stability of MIL-125 in water, however, is the major drawback that limits the application of this material in aqueous condition. This study reports the water stability of amino-functionalized MIL-125 (as NH2-MIL-125), as well as its adsorption capability towards cationic methylene blue (MB) in comparison to that of MIL-125. Both MIL-125 and NH2-MIL-125 compound were prepared by reflux method followed by activation through conventional solvent-exchange technique. Framework of the as-synthesized of MIL-125 and NH2-MIL-125 was confirmed by powder X-Ray diffraction whilst the amino-functional group was confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy. The C-N stretching vibration peak found at 1256 cm-1 was the characteristic feature for the NH2-MIL-125 compound. Morphology of the as-synthesized MIL-125 and NH2-MIL-125 realized by the scanning electron microscopy as circular-plate shape with the crystal size ranges between 0.5 to 1 μm. The obtained results showed that NH2-MIL-125 had better water stability that exceeded 24 hours in comparison to MIL-125 which disintegrated in water in less than 1 hour. Furthermore, preliminary adsorption result revealed that NH2-MIL-125 was able to adsorb 90% of MB in water (with 360.60 mg.g-1 of the calculated adsorption capacity towards MB) whilst only 68% of MB was adsorbed by MIL-125 (with 272.58 mg.g-1 of the calculated adsorption capacity towards MB) within 4 hours of reaction time. This study implies that NH2- MIL-125 material can be a potential adsorbent for the removal of cationic organic pollutants in water.

KEYWORDS: Adsorption, Metal-organic framework, MIL-125, Water stability, Methylene blue



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