An industrial synthesis method of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8-based composites for formaldehyde adsorption application

Abstract

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) has recently garnered significant attention in gas adsorption due to its unique pore structure, high specific surface area, and excellent thermal stability. However, few studies have been reported on the industrial application of ZIF-8, primarily due to its low yield, challenging reaction conditions, and high cost. In this study, we present a straightforward and cost-effective approach to fabricate a ZIF-8-based composite by incorporating N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and silica gel with a low ligand-to-metal ion molar ratio of 4:1. The resulting composite exhibits abundant porous structures with both micropores and mesopores for efficient formaldehyde absorption, achieving an impressive removal efficiency of approximately 90 %. Furthermore, a remarkable yield of 75 % and a substantial cost reduction of 94 % are attained compared to ZIF-8 synthesized in an aqueous solution with a ligand ratio of 70:1. Therefore, this study innovatively combined the high-porosity MOF material with industrially common and cost-effective silica gel and applied in the field of formaldehyde adsorption, demonstrating commendable adsorption performance and practical applicability.