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. (authors)