Effect and mechanism of inorganic anions on the adsorption of Cd2+ on two-dimensional copper-based metal–organic framework

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks exhibit strong adsorption performance for Cd2+ in wastewater due to their multi-level pores and easily modified structure. In this paper, a copper based metal–organic framework: [Cu·(HL)·(DMF)]n (1) (H3L = 5-hydroxy isophthalic acid; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), was synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis method. The structural analysis shows that each Cu(II) in 1 is coordinated with four carboxylate O atoms from HL2− and one O atom from DMF. The two carboxylate groups in HL2− take μ2-η1:η1 to bridge two Cu(II) ions formed a two-dimensional structure. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis shows that the nanomaterials prepared by the crushing method have dendritic structures and particle diameters of approximately 100 nm. The experimental results of the nano adsorbent adsorbing Cd2+ show that at an isoelectric point pH = 6, the optimal adsorbent concentration is 0.20 g/L. The maximum adsorption capacity at this time is 75.22 mg/g, which is superior to most MOFs adsorbents. At this optimal adsorbent concentration, as the solution pH increases, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for Cd2+ significantly increases. The thermodynamic analysis results of adsorption show that the △G < 0 and △H < 0 of the adsorbent in the range of 20–40 ℃, indicating that the adsorption of Cd2+ by the adsorbent is a spontaneous and exothermic process. The inorganic anions Cl−, HCO3−, NO3−, SO42− inhibit the adsorption of Cd2+ by nano adsorbent at a pH of 6. However, at low pH values (4, 5), it promotes the adsorption of Cd2+. This is mainly because the presence of inorganic anions changes the form of Cd2+ in solution, affecting the adsorption of it by the adsorbent.