Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Framework Research Articles

Silk Fibroin Microneedles Loaded with Lipopolysaccharide-Pretreated Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Oral Ulcer Treatment.

Oral ulcers, superficial lesions on the surface of the oral mucosa, have a high incidence rate, and their main symptoms include local pain and erosion. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-preconditioned bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and their secreted exosomes (LPS-pre-Exos) have been shown to promote recovery in various inflammatory conditions and wounds. However, studies documenting LPS-pre-Exos as a therapeutic intervention for oral mucosal-like diseases are lacking. In this study, we prepared a silk fibroin microneedle (MN) patch consisting of LPS-pre-Exos and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) that localized at the tip and base, respectively, and used this MN patch for oral ulcer treatment. Upon insertion into the oral mucosa, continuous LPS-pre-Exos release was observed, which promoted macrophage polarization and tissue healing. Additionally, the ZIF-8 framework in the MN patch facilitated the controlled release of Zn2+, which demonstrated potent antimicrobial properties via synergistic effects. The in vitro experimental results showed that the silk fibroin MN patch can continuously release LPS-pre-Exos and Zn2+ for more than 7 days. Thus, the LPS-pre-Exos and ZIF-8-loaded silk fibroin MN patch exhibited good anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, promoting oral ulcer healing, and showed good histocompatibility. Hence, it may represent a potentially valuable strategy for facilitating oral ulcer healing.

Fast Gas-Adsorption Kinetics in Supraparticle-Based MOF Packings with Hierarchical Porosity.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are microporous adsorbents for high-throughput gas separation. Such materials exhibit distinct adsorption characteristics owing to the flexibility of the crystal framework in a nanoparticle, which can be different from its bulk crystal. However, for practical applications, such particles need to be compacted into macroscopic pellets, creating mass-transport limitations. In this work, this problem is addressed by forming materials with structural hierarchy, using a supraparticle-based approach. Spherical supraparticles composed of nanosized MOF particles are fabricated by emulsion templating and they are used as the structural component forming a macroscopic material. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) particles are used as a model system and the gas-adsorption kinetics of the hierarchical material are compared with conventional pellets without structural hierarchy. It is demonstrated that a pellet packed with supraparticles exhibits a 30 times faster adsorption rate compared to an unstructured ZIF-8 powder pellet. These results underline the importance of controlling structural hierarchy to maximize the performance of existing materials. In the hierarchical MOFs, large macropores between the supraparticles, smaller macropores between individual ZIF-8 primary particles, and micropores inherent to the ZIF-8 framework collude to combine large surface area, defined adsorption sites, and efficient mass transport to enhance performance.

A novel CoMoO4 enwrapped ZIF-8 nanocomposite with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

A hybrid nano catalyst, CoMoO4 anchored zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has been synthesized by simplest in-situ chemical method. The characterization results showed that the CoMoO4@ZIF-8 composites had a crystalline structure with a uniform distribution of the Cobalt molybdate particles on the ZIF-8 surface. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of characteristic peaks for both ZIF-8 and CoMoO4, indicating the successful incorporation of the metal molybdate into the ZIF-8 framework. The SEM-EDS analysis showed that the CoMoO4 nanoparticles (NPs) have been evenly distributed on the ZIF-8 surface. In HRTEM, some rod-like CoMoO4 is observed on the surface of the ZIF-8 material, which is stacked in a disorderly manner and a porous channel structure is formed. The photocatalytic activity of the CoMoO4@ZIF-8 has been evaluated using the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light. The optimal photocatalytic activity was achieved with the CoMoO4@ZIF-8 composite, which showed a degradation efficiency of 100% under visible light after 40 min of irradiation. In conclusion, the CoMoO4@ZIF-8 composites showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light, and it exhibited the best performance compared with pure CoMoO4 and ZIF-8.

Multicomponent metal-organic framework nanocomposites for tumor-responsive synergistic therapy

Targeted tumor therapy through tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive nanoplatforms is an emerging treatment strategy used to enhance tumor-specificity to selectively kill cancer cells. Here, we introduce a nanosized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) that simultaneously contains natural glucose oxidase (GOx) and Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) to construct multi-component metal-organic framework nanocomposites (denoted as ZIF@GOx@PBNPs), which possess cascade catalytic activity selectively within the TME. Once reaching a tumor site, GOx and PBNPs inside the nanocomposites are sequentially released and participate in the cascade catalytic reaction. In weak acidic TME, GOx, which effectively catalyzes the oxidation of intratumoral glucose to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and gluconic acid, not only initiates starvation therapy by cutting off the nutrition source for cancer cells but also produces the reactant for sequential Fenton reaction for chemodynamic therapy. Meanwhile, PBNPs, which are released from the ZIF-8 framework dissociated by acidified pH due to the produced gluconic acid, convert the generated H2O2 into harmful radicals to melanomas. In this way, the cascade catalytic reactions of ZIF@GOx@PBNPs enhance reactive oxygen species production and cause oxidative damage to DNA in cancer cells, resulting in remarkable inhibition of tumor growth. The tumor specificity is endowed by using the biomolecules overexpressed in TME as a “switch” to initiate the first catalytic reaction by GOx. Given the significant antitumor efficiency both in vitro and in vivo, ZIF@GOx@PBNPs could be applied as a promising therapeutic platform enabling starvation/chemodynamic synergism, high therapeutic efficiency, and minimal side effects.

The Effect of Surface Composition on the Selective Capture of Atmospheric CO2 by ZIF Nanoparticles: The Case of ZIF-8.

We performed theoretical studies of CO2 capture in atmospheric conditions by the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) via classical Monte Carlo (MC) simulations with Metropolis sampling and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the NVT and NPT ensembles and different thermodynamic conditions. The ZIF-8 framework was described by varying unit cell dimensions in the presence of pure gases of CO2, N2, O2, Ar, and H2O steam as well as binary mixtures of CO2:N2 and CO2:H2O in s 1:1 concentration. Different chemical compositions of the framework surface was considered to provide an accurate treatment of charge and charge distribution in the nanoparticle. Hence, surface groups were represented as unsaturated zinc atom (Zn+2), 2-methylimidazole (mImH), and deprotonated 2-methylimidazole (mIm-). Force field reparameterization of the surface sites was required to reproduce the interactions of the gas molecules with the ZIF-8 surface consistent with quantum mechanics (QM) calculations and Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD). It was observed that ZIF-8 selectively captures CO2 due to the negligible concentrations of N2, O2, Ar, and H2O. These molecules spontaneously migrate to the inner pores of the framework. At the surface, there is a competitive interaction between H2O, CO2, and N2, for the positively charged ZIF-8 nanoparticle with a large binding energy advantage for water molecules (on average -62, -15, and -8 kcal/mol respectively). For the neutral ZIF-8 nanoparticle, the water molecules dominate the interactions due to the occurrence of hydrogen bond with the imidazolate groups at the surface. Simulations of binary mixtures of CO2/water steam and CO2/N2 were performed to investigate binding competition between these molecules for the framework positively charged and neutral surfaces. It was found that water molecules drastically block the interaction between CO2 molecules and the framework surface, decreasing CO2 capture in the central pore, and CO2 molecules fully block the interaction between N2 molecules and the framework. These findings show that CO2 capture by ZIF-8 is possible in atmospheric environments only upon dehydration of the atmospheric gas. It further shows that ZIF-8 capture of CO2 from the atmospheric environment is dependent on thermodynamic conditions and can be increased by decreasing temperature and/or increasing pressure.

PH-triggered degradation and release of doxorubicin from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF8) decorated with polyacrylic acid.

Zeolite imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF8) represents a class of highly porous materials with a very high surface area, large pore volume, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. In this study, ZIF8-based nanostructures demonstrated a high loading capacity for doxorubicin (62 mg Dox per g ZIF8) through the combination of π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. Dox-loaded ZIF8 was subsequently decorated with polyacrylic acid (PAA) (ZIF8–Dox@PAA) that showed good dispersity, fluorescent imaging capability, and pH-responsive drug release. The stable localization and association of Dox in ZIF8@PAA were investigated by C13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The NMR chemical shifts suggest the formation of hydrogen bonding interactions and π–π stacking interactions between the imidazole ring of ZIF8 and the benzene ring of Dox that can significantly improve the storage of Dox in the ZIF8 nanostructure. Additionally, the release mechanism of ZIF8–Dox@PAA was discussed based on the detachment of the PAA layer, enhanced solubility of Dox, and destruction of ZIF8 at different pH conditions. In vitro release test of ZIF8–Dox@PAA at pH 7.4 showed the low release rate of 24.7% even after 100 h. However, ZIF8–Dox@PAA at pH 4.0 exhibited four stages of release profiles, significantly enhanced release rate of 84.7% at the final release stage after 30 h. The release kinetics of ZIF8–Dox@PAA was analyzed by the sigmoidal Hill, exponential Weibull, and two-stage BiDoseResp models. The ZIF8–Dox@PAA nanocarrier demonstrated a promising theranostic nanoplatform equipped with fluorescent bioimaging, pH-responsive controlled drug release, and high drug loading capacity.

ZIF-8 as a promising drug delivery system for benznidazole: development, characterization, in vitro dialysis release and cytotoxicity

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of the major public health problems in developing countries. Benznidazole (BNZ) is the only drug available for CD treatment in most countries, however, it presents high toxicity and low bioavailability. To address these problems this study used Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8), which has garnered considerable attention due to its potential applications, enabling the controlled delivery of drugs. The present work developed and characterized a BNZ@ZIF-8 system, and the modulation of BNZ release from the ZIF-8 framework was evaluated through the in vitro dialysis release method under sink conditions at different pH values. Moreover, the in vitro evaluation of cell viability and cytotoxicity by MTT assay were also performed. The dissolution studies corroborated that a pH sensitive Drug Delivery System capable of vectorizing the release of BNZ was developed, may leading to the improvement in the bioavailability of BNZ. The MTT assay showed that no statistically significant toxic effects occurred in the developed system, nor significant effects on cell viability.

Postsynthetic Modification of ZIF-8 Membranes via Membrane Surface Ligand Exchange for Light Hydrocarbon Gas Separation Enhancement.

The ability to tailor the pore structure of metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes enables synthesis of new or modified MOF membranes with enhanced separation characteristics. This work employs a modified version of solvent-assisted ligand exchange, termed membrane surface ligand exchange (MSLE), to modify the pore structure of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) membranes. This paper is the first to perform a time-based, ex situ characterization and gas permeation study of ZIF-8 MSLE with 5,6-DBIM (DBIM, dimethylbenzimidazole) to effectively narrow the ZIF-8 pores, enhance light hydrocarbon gas-phase separations, and give insight into the exchange mechanism with respect to time and temperature. The results show that relatively fast exchange kinetics occur mainly at the outer surface of the ZIF-8 membrane during the initial 30 min of exchange and enables significant (40-70%) increases in propylene/propane selectivity with minimal (10-20%) propylene permeance losses for the modified ZIF-8 membranes. We postulate as the reaction time proceeds, the ligand-exchange rate slows as the DBIM linker diffuses into the ZIF-8 membrane beyond the external surface, exchanges with the original linker, disrupts the original framework's crystallinity, and then increases long-range order/crystallinity as the reaction proceeds. The H2/C2 separation factor increases with increased 5,6-DBIM content in the ZIF-8 framework which is facilitated by increased MSLE time and reaction temperature.

In-situ linker doping as an effective means to tune zeolitic-imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) fillers in mixed-matrix membranes for propylene/propane separation

Zeolitic-imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) has been extensively studied as a molecular sieving filler in mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) for propylene/propane (C3) separation. The C3 separation performance of ZIF-8-containing MMMs has yet to meet the commercial viability criteria. Recently, doping or mixing linkers in ZIF-8 framework has been found effective in tuning the molecular sieving properties of ZIF-8. Herein, we attempted to tune the molecular sieving properties of ZIF-8 fillers in MMMs by doping with 2-ethylimidazole (eIm) linkers in order to improve their C3 separation performance. MMMs were prepared by in-situ forming eIm-doped ZIF-8 fillers in polyimide using our recently reported polymer-modification-enabled in-situ MOF formation (PMMOF) process. As eIm linkers were doped into ZIF-8 filler crystals, the propylene/propane separation factor of the resulting MMMs was dramatically enhanced. Lastly, doped-linker ZIF-8 based mixed-matrix hollow fiber membranes were successfully prepared, demonstrating potential of their scalable practical applications.

Eco-friendly method for synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 decorated graphene oxide for antibacterial activity enhancement

We report a rapid method for synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8)-decorated graphene oxide (GO) composites (ZGO) with good antibacterial properties. The ZGO composites were synthesized at room temperature with low GO to metal salt ratios. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and surface area analysis. The characterization results show that ZIF-8 with a size of approximately 120nm is successfully decorated on the surface of GO sheets with the host ZIF-8 framework maintained in the synthesized composite, but there is a significant reduction in the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. The antibacterial activities of the samples against Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 as model strains of gram-negative and -positive bacteria, respectively, were determined by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. ZGO-1.0 (1wt% of ratio of GO to metal salt) shows the highest antibacterial activity with MIC values required to inhibit bacterial growth of E. coli and S. aureus of 5 times lower than those of pristine ZIF-8. Different antibacterial mechanisms are proposed based on field-emission scanning electron microscope images of the two bacteria after contact with the synthesized composite. Overall, owing to the simple synthesis, good stability, low chemical usage, and excellent antibacterial activity of the ZGO composites, they show great potential for application in the field of microbial contamination control.

Carbonized ZIF-8 incorporated mixed matrix membrane for stable ABE recovery from fermentation broth

Recently, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has been recognized as one of the most potential doping particles for pervaporation separation of organics because of its unique pore structure and high surface area. However, in this work, ZIF-8-based mixed matrix membrane (MMM) was found to have poor stability in separating acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation broth due to the organic acids caused the degradation of ZIF-8 framework. To improve the stability of ZIF-8-based MMM in practical application, ZIF-8-derived nanoporous carbon (ZNC) was prepared via direct carbonization and used to replace ZIF-8 in MMM. Results indicated the acid-stability, specific surface area and pore volume of ZNC were all remarkably improved compared with those of ZIF-8. The ZNC-based MMM showed high hydrophobicity and good compatibility between particles and polymer. More attractively, during 100 h of continuous operation for ABE recovery from fermentation broth, ZNC incorporated MMM exhibited a stable performance with an average total flux of 1870 g m−2 h−1 and a n-butanol separation factor of 20.

CO2 selective metal organic framework ZIF-8 modified through ionic liquid encapsulation: A computational study

Nano-scale porous solids are alternate candidates for CO2 handling towards the development of materials for post-combustion CO2 capture with low energy demands and milder operating conditions. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is one of the most investigated Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for separation of gas mixtures. In this work, we investigate a new approach of tailoring MOF separation efficiency, by confining pairs of [bmim+][Tf2N−] ionic liquid (IL) in the cages of ZIF-8 (IL@ZIF-8). Molecular force fields, developed by the authors for both the ZIF-8 framework and the [bmim+][Tf2N−] IL, are used in molecular simulations of the system. Monte Carlo simulations are used for sorption of CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 mixtures computations. The results show an increase of the CO2 sorption due to the presence of the IL, which increases CO2 selectivity and capacity dramatically. Recently reported experiments agree with our findings. Moreover, we explore how CO2 selectivity and capacity varies with IL composition in the IL@ZIF-8 complex, as means to define an optimum IL composition in terms of the separation efficiency.

Diffusion phenomena of propane and propylene in colloidal zeolitic imidazolate Framework-8 particles

Abstract Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) enables a kinetic separation of propane and propylene with high efficiency, although the detailed mechanism has not yet been clarified. In the present study, we measure the adsorption rates of propane and propylene in ZIF-8 particles and in-situ X-ray diffraction patterns of ZIF-8 during the gas adsorption process to investigate the effect of the gas pressure and the flexibility of ZIF-8 framework on the diffusion process of propane and propylene in ZIF-8 particles. The adsorption rates of propane and propylene depend on the gas pressure, which would be due to the enlargement of the pore window diameter of the ZIF-8 framework during the gas adsorption as suggested by in-situ XRD measurements. This result is also supported by the calculation of interaction potential profiles between a gas molecule and the ZIF-8 framework, in which an energy barrier at the pore window limits the gas diffusion and the height of the barrier decreases with the increase in the pore window diameter. Furthermore, we find that the adsorption rates of propane and propylene depend on the particle size of ZIF-8, and the selectivity of propylene over propane increases with the particle size.

Characterization of mixing performance in a microreactor and its application to the synthesis of porous coordination polymer particles

Here we quantitatively evaluated the mixing performance of a tailor-made microreactor with central-collision type through the iodide/iodate chemical test reaction, and applied the microreactor to the synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), which is a subclass of porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The chemical test reaction demonstrated excellent mixing performance of the microreactor with a characteristic mixing time shorter than 1ms, which is approximately 100 times faster than those of a batch reactor and a millimeter-sized Y-shaped mixer. Taking advantage of the rapid and uniform mixing, the microreactor successfully produced ZIF-8 particles with high reproducibility by simply mixing aqueous solutions of zinc nitrate and 2-methylimidazole. The synthesis at room temperature resulted in ZIF-8 particles with chamfered cube shape, while a lower temperature of 5°C produced raspberry-type spherical particles. We confirmed that prepared ZIF-8 particles have BET surface area of ∼1500m2/g and exhibit the gate adsorption behavior caused by the structural transition of the ZIF-8 framework.

Guest dependent Brillouin and Raman scattering studies of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) under external pressure.

We have investigated the pressure dependence of the acoustic modes of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) in different pressure transmitting mediums and also under non-hydrostatic conditions using high pressure Brillouin spectroscopy. Our study shows the pressure induced flexibility and dynamics of ZIF-8 framework as well as a huge increase in the acoustic velocities on applying external pressure, illustrating the role of guest in enhancing the elastic properties of the framework. In fact, the elastic constant C11 of the guest incorporated ZIF-8 increases by ∼183% on applying a pressure of only 1.47 GPa. The pressure transmitting medium also plays an important role in controlling the gate opening behaviour of ZIF-8. Pressure dependent Raman study shows significant changes in the modes of ZIF-8 as well as that of that of the pressure transmitting medium which is entrapped within the framework, indicating that the interaction between the framework and guest is responsible for the medium dependent changes observed in the Brillouin spectra.

マイクロリアクタの混合特性評価と多孔性錯体微粒子合成への適用

Abstract Here we quantitatively evaluated the mixing performance of a tailor-made microreactor with central-collision type through the iodide/iodate chemical test reaction, and applied the microreactor to the synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), which is a subclass of porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The chemical test reaction demonstrated excellent mixing performance of the microreactor with a characteristic mixing time shorter than 1 ms, which is approximately 100 times faster than those of a batch reactor and a millimeter-sized Y-shaped mixer. Taking advantage of the rapid and uniform mixing, the microreactor successfully produced ZIF-8 particles with high reproducibility by simply mixing aqueous solutions of zinc nitrate and 2-methylimidazole. The synthesis at room temperature resulted in ZIF-8 particles with chamfered cube shape, while a lower temperature of 5 °C produced raspberry-type spherical particles. We confirmed that prepared ZIF-8 particles have BET surface area of ∼1500 m 2 /g and exhibit the gate adsorption behavior caused by the structural transition of the ZIF-8 framework.

Optimized Metal–Organic-Framework Nanospheres for Drug Delivery: Evaluation of Small-Molecule Encapsulation

We have developed a general synthetic route to encapsulate small molecules in monodisperse zeolitic imid-azolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanospheres for drug delivery. Electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis show that the small-molecule-encapsulated ZIF-8 nanospheres are uniform 70 nm particles with single-crystalline structure. Several small molecules, including fluorescein and the anticancer drug camptothecin, were encapsulated inside of the ZIF-8 framework. Evaluation of fluorescein-encapsulated ZIF-8 nanospheres in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line demonstrated cell internalization and minimal cytotoxicity. The 70 nm particle size facilitates cellular uptake, and the pH-responsive dissociation of the ZIF-8 framework likely results in endosomal release of the small-molecule cargo, thereby rendering the ZIF-8 scaffold an ideal drug delivery vehicle. To confirm this, we demonstrate that camptothecin encapsulated ZIF-8 particles show enhanced cell death, indicative of internalization and intracellular release of the drug. To demonstrate the versatility of this ZIF-8 system, iron oxide nanoparticles were also encapsulated into the ZIF-8 nanospheres, thereby endowing magnetic features to these nanospheres.

Adsorption of C1–C4 Alcohols in Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8: Effects of Force Fields, Atomic Charges, and Framework Flexibility

A molecular simulation study is reported for the adsorption of normal alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol) in zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). The effects of force fields, atomic charges, and framework flexibility are systematically examined and compared with experimental data. Among three force fields (UFF, AMBER, and DREIDING), DREIDING has the best agreement with experiment. The atomic charges and framework flexibility are found to have negligible effects. The four alcohols exhibit S-shaped isotherms without hysteresis loop, as attributed to adsorption at different preferential sites. At a low pressure, cluster formation is observed near the organic linker (2-methylimidazolate) in ZIF-8; with increasing pressure, cage-filling occurs in the large sodalite cage. The interaction between alcohol and ZIF-8 framework is enhanced as the chain length of alcohol increases; thus, the isosteric heat of adsorption rises with chain length. The simulation study provides microscopic insight in...

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 for Fast Adsorption and Removal of Benzotriazoles from Aqueous Solution

1H-benzotriazole (BTri) and 5-tolyltriazole (5-TTri) are emerging pollutants; the development of novel materials for their efficient adsorption and removal is thus of great significance in environmental sciences. Here, we report the application of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a novel adsorbent for fast removal of BTri and 5-TTri in aqueous solution in view of adsorption isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics, desorption, and adsorbent regeneration. The adsorption of BTri and 5-TTri on ZIF-8 was very fast, and most of BTri and 5-TTri were adsorbed in the first 2 min. The adsorption for BTri and 5-TTri follows a pseudo-second-order kinetics and fits the Langmuir adsorption model with the adsorption capacity of 298.5 and 396.8 mg g(-1) for BTri and 5-TTri at 30 °C, respectively. The adsorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process controlled by positive entropy change. No remarkable effects of pH, ionic strength, and dissolved organic matter on the adsorption of BTri and 5-TTri on ZIF-8 were observed. The used ZIF-8 could be regenerated effectively and recycled at least three times without significant loss of adsorption capacity. In addition, ZIF-8 provided much larger adsorption capacity and faster adsorption kinetics than activated carbon and ZIF-7. The hydrophobic and π-π interaction between the aromatic rings of the BTri and 5-TTri and the aromatic imizole rings of the ZIF-8, and the coordination of the nitrogen atoms in BTri and 5-TTri molecules to the Zn(2+) ions in the ZIF-8 framework was responsible for the efficient adsorption. The fast adsorption kinetics, large adsorption capacity, excellent reusability as well as the pH, ionic strength, and dissolved organic matter insensitive adsorption create potential for ZIF-8 to be effective at removing benzotriazoles from aqueous solution.