Simultaneous capture of trace benzene and SO₂ in a robust Ni(II)-pyrazolate framework

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Benzene and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are hazardous air pollutants with detrimental health and environmental impacts.
• Existing physisorbents struggle to capture these pollutants effectively at low concentrations, especially under humid conditions.
• Simultaneous capture of trace benzene and SO2 in the presence of moisture remains a significant challenge for industrial effluent remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a robust metal-organic framework (MOF) capable of simultaneously capturing trace benzene and SO2 under humid conditions.
• To investigate the performance of a pyrazolate MOF with accessible Ni(II) sites for simultaneous pollutant adsorption.
• To demonstrate the potential of advanced MOFs for effective industrial air pollution control.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a robust pyrazolate metal-organic framework (MOF) featuring accessible Ni(II) sites.
• Characterization of the MOF's stability and affinity to water.
• Measurement of benzene and SO2 adsorption capacities under varying partial pressures and humidity levels.

Main Results:

• The synthesized MOF exhibits high benzene uptake (5.08 mmol g⁻¹ at 10 Pa), exceeding previous benchmarks.
• The material demonstrates significant adsorption capacities for benzene (~0.51 mmol g⁻¹) and SO2 (~1.21 mmol g⁻¹) at 30% relative humidity.
• The MOF shows low affinity to water and good stability, crucial for real-world applications.

Conclusions:

• A pioneering MOF enables the simultaneous capture of trace benzene and SO2, even under challenging humid conditions.
• The developed MOF presents a promising physisorbent for industrial effluent remediation.
• This work highlights the potential of tailored MOFs in addressing complex air pollution challenges.