ZirconiumHydroxide–Metal–Organic Framework Composites for ToxicChemical Removal.

Composite materials comprising themetal–organic framework CuBTC (HKUST-1 or Cu3(BTC)2) and zirconium hydroxide were made to develop a materialcapable of broad spectrum toxic chemical removal. Materials were physicallymixed at varying percentages, followed by pressing into pellets toset the structure. Mixtures were confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction,attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.Nitrogen isotherm data were collected on the composite media, followedby breakthrough testing against ammonia, cyanogen chloride, and sulfurdioxide. All samples exhibited substantial porosity. As the percentageof CuBTC increased, ammonia performance increased while sulfur dioxideremoval generally decreased. Cyanogen chloride removal increased withincreased CuBTC percentage under dry conditions, but failed to provideany significant removal under humid conditions. Adding triethylenediamineto the composites resulted in a substantial increase in cyanogen chlorideremoval capacity under humid conditions. In all, the composite structuresresulted in some synergistic effects for ammonia and cyanogen chloride,with removal capacities higher than weighted averages based on performanceof pure components. Data indicate that composites comprising CuBTCand zirconium hydroxide may be viable for broad spectrum toxic chemicalfiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]