Green Synthesis of a Metal-Organic Framework Selective Towards the Binding of Methylene Blue

Date

2021-05

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Florida Southern College

Abstract

In the summer of 2010, the U.N. deemed that all humans had a right to water, and access to fresh drinking water is a requirement to fulfil other rights. However, millions of people across the globe still live without access to clean drinking water. Shifting weather patterns due to climate change are making access to fresh water even more difficult for some areas, so their reliance on wastewater treatment facilities will only grow if water demands are to be met sustainably. Unfortunately, there exists a class of chemicals known as emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), which easily pass through the filtration systems of conventional wastewater treatment facilities. However, another class of materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), can be used in junction with classical filtration systems to selectively bind and remove EOCs from the wastewater. The synthesis of MOFs often requires the use of harsh solvents and prolonged use of elevated temperatures. In this work, two MOFs, MIL-53 and NH2-MIL-53 are synthesized in water at room temperature, and for the first time, sodium bicarbonate is used as a deprotonation agent. The absorption capabilities the latter MOF has of Methylene blue, a potent EOC, are analyzed as an application. Following the synthesis method provided in this work, a range of MOFs could be synthesized without the need for harsh solvents and at room temperature, substantially increasing the green characteristics of the synthesis.

Description

Honors Thesis Spring 2021

Keywords

Right to water, Water purification chemicals industry, Water treatment plants, Water treatment plant residuals -- Purification, Drinking water -- Contamination

Citation

DOI

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