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Ultrafast Removal of Phosphate from Eutrophic Waters Using a Cerium-Based Metal–Organic Framework
Summary:
The authors from Clarkson University developed a Ce(IV)-based metal–organic framework (Ce-BDC) featuring ultra-high surface area, microporosity and open Ce6O4(OH)4 nodes, achieving record-fast (4 min) and selective phosphate removal (179 mg g⁻¹) from eutrophic waters.
Background:
1. To mitigate water eutrophication, prior sorbents (carbons, resins, Zr-MOFs) showed limited capacity, slow kinetics or narrow pH windows.
2. The team proposed exploiting the high Ce–O–P affinity within a UiO-66 analogue; Ce-BDC was synthesized and demonstrated superior phosphate uptake across pH 2–12.
Research Content:
1. Synthesis: Hydrothermal reaction of Ce(NH₄)(NO₂)₆ and terephthalic acid in DMF at 100 °C, followed by ethanol washing and vacuum drying.
2. Characterizations:
1) BET 1255 m² g⁻¹, micropores ~1 nm (Figure S1).
2) SEM/TEM: 100–200 nm octahedral nanocrystals.
3) PXRD confirms UiO-66 topology; FTIR/XPS verify Ce–O–P formation; TGA shows stability to 400 °C.
3. Application: Batch tests in lake-like matrices (50 ppm P, 5 mg MOF, 10 mL) removed >95 % phosphate within 4 min; capacity retained in presence of 100 ppm Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, etc.
4. Mechanism: DFT reveals −189.6 kJ mol⁻¹ binding energy for PO₄³⁻ via ion-exchange of terminal –OH at missing-linker defects, forming robust Ce–O–P bonds.
Outlook:
Ce-BDC delivers the fastest, highest-capacity phosphate capture yet reported for MOFs, operates over natural water pH, and is easily dispersible, pointing toward scalable filters for eutrophication control and nutrient recovery.
Ultrafast Removal of Phosphate from Eutrophic Waters Using a Cerium-Based Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Mohamed H. Hassan, Robert Stanton, Jeremy Secora, Dhara J. Trivedi, Silvana Andreescu
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c16477
Link: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c16477
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