Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are widely employed as catalysts and semiconductors due to unique combination of crystalline and porous structure. The presence of polar and non-polar groups on organic linkers provides extra coordination sites for attachment of various metals. The topology of single and mixed organic ligands is tuned to higher surface area and increased porosity likely to serve as good adsorbents.
The present study is based on synthesis of single and mixed ligand MOFs with Nickel as precursor. Oxalic and trimesic acid, representatives of di- and tri- carboxylates provides the organic framework. The characterization of synthesized MOFs by FTIR, XRD and SEM/EDX techniques reveal average crystallite size (0.2-3nm) and Ni is incorporated to mass percentage of 9-13%. Ni-O binding is exhibited at FTIR frequency of 493-500cm-1. The application of synthesized MOFs in batch experiment at varying adsorbent dose, concentration and temperature demonstrated adsorptive capacity for Polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the sequence dibenzofuran (81%) > phenanthrene (91%) > anthracene (33%). The adsorbents were also proven to be effective for removal of pollutants from industrial waste with average percent removal of 73% for incinerator ash.
The study concluded that use of synthesized MOFs as an adsorbent for removal of pollutants is most effective way for environmental remediation. These MOFs can also be applied for catalysis of toxic environmental pollutants.