Over the last two decades, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained enormous popularity due to their relatively simple synthesis and wide array of applications. However, synthesis of some classic MOFs, such as MIL-53-Al, involves the use of solvothermal techniques which introduce harsh solvents and energy-intensive methods. Only recently have several researchers developed “greener” synthetic approaches carried out at room temperature using water as a solvent. This has been achieved by reacting carboxylic acids, a common organic linker in the MOF, with strong bases such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to form a salt which then is reacted with the metal salt. While this approach is moving towards a greener synthesis, it still uses caustic chemicals. In this work, we will present the synthesis of MIL-53-Al using water as a solvent and sodium bicarbonate as a base to deprotonate the carboxylic acid. The MIL-53-Al is filtered and characterized using x-ray powder diffractometer and infrared spectroscopy. This poster will also present the preliminary studies of the removal of methylene blue (MB) in water by MIL-53-Al.

Green synthesis of a metal-organic framework selective towards methylene blue in an aqueous environment

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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