A Drosera peltata-inspired BiOBr/metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) composite adsorbent for imidacloprid removal from...

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, which can enter the environment such as soil and water and cause serious harm to organisms, so there is an urgent need for simple, rapid and efficient removal methods. Inspired by the insect-trapping mechanism of the Drosera peltata Smith-which attracts insects with bright colors or fragrance and then rapidly captures them using leaf mucilage-this study synthesized a composite material, BNM101, based on NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) and BiOBr, successfully establishing a synergistic "attract-capture" system for highly efficient adsorption of IMI. This design marks the first time that natural insect-trapping strategies have been introduced into the field of pesticide adsorbent materials. The core innovation lies in enabling the adsorbent to simultaneously possess both "active attraction" and "rapid capture" functions, which work synergistically rather than simply additively. In this system, NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) actively attracts IMI molecules through its high specific surface area and ordered pore structure, while BiOBr enables rapid capture and fixation via densely distributed active sites on its surface. These two components complement each other and enhance performance through synergy. Based on BiOBr's unique tetragonal crystal structure and electron transfer properties, BNM101 achieves adsorption equilibrium within 5 min, with a maximum adsorption capacity reaching 401.44 mg/g, combining ultrafast adsorption kinetics with outstanding adsorption capability. Furthermore, BNM101 demonstrates excellent reusability, retaining nearly 50% removal efficiency after five cycles. This study presents a novel biomimetic MOF-based adsorption strategy for the rapid, efficient, and low-cost removal of pesticides from water environments.