3D-agaric like core-shell architecture UiO-66-NH2@ZIF-8 with robust stability for highly efficient REEs recovery

With the ever-increasing of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in various high technology applications, efficient recovery of REEs from liquid sources is becoming significantly important. In this work, ZIF-8 and UiO-66-NH2 (U6N) are combined to form a 3D-agaric like core-shell structure hybrid material (U6N@ZIF-8-20), which exhibits good performance in REEs extraction. Due to the abundant adsorption sites of ZIF-8 and the excellent water stability of UiO-66-NH2, 3D-agaric like U6N@ZIF-8-20 showed quick adsorption rate (only 10 min to reach equilibrium), high adsorption capacity and selectivity for REEs from water compared to other reported adsorbents. Maximum adsorption capacities of U6N@ZIF-8-20 for neodymium (Nd(III)), europium (Eu(III)), gadolinium (Gd(III)) and erbium (Er(III)) achieved to 249.90, 295.28, 316.22 and 340.95 mg g-1, respectively. U6N@ZIF-8-20 has superiority in selective adsorption of REEs from Cd(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Mn(II) and Co(II) coexistence solution. The order of adsorption capacities for REEs is in agreement with the order of their electronegativity, ionic radius and charge density. Moreover, U6N@ZIF-8-20 showed better water stability and recyclability than single MOF. Overall, MOF@MOF hybrid material has efficiency in REEs separation from solutions, and has great advantage in the application of wastewater treating.