Polystyrene nanofibrous mats were electrospun with the metal-organic framework (MOF) UiO-66-NH2 at a variety of processing conditions to elucidate structure-activity-processing relationships. Key processing parameters included the solvent composition (tetrahydrofuran vs. dimethylmethylformamide), polymer weight fraction in solution, and MOF weight fraction. By manipulating these parameters, MOF deposition could be tuned such that the frameworks were selectively incorporated either within the spun fibers or on the fiber surfaces. The location of deposition had implications on access to the MOF by various probe molecules, including nitrogen, chlorine, and methyl paraoxon (a nerve agent simulant). The ability to tune deposition of MOFs onto fibers offers promise in next generation active suit materials for chemical warfare protection applications.

Tuning the morphology and activity of electrospun polystyrene/UiO-66-NH2 metal-organic famework composites

254th National Meeting (2017)

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