Highly Mesoporous Zr-Based MOF-Fabric Composites: A Benign Approach for Expeditious Degradation of Chemical Warfare Agents and Simulants.

Abstract

Recent research has demonstrated the degradation of organophosphonates through hydrolysis using microporous UiO-66-NH₂-fabric composites. Yet, challenges remain due to the limitations of organophosphonates accessing active sites in large, engineered granules. To address this, an innovative approach to integrate mesoporous UiO-66-NH₂ onto various fabrics is provided, thereby overcoming previous mass transfer limitations. Mesoporosity in the UiO-66-NH₂-fabric is attributed to the amphoteric cocamidopropylbetaine (CAPB) surfactant which templates the mesochannel construction. Unexpectedly, because the synthesis is aqueous, benign, low temperature (60°C), and avoids strong acids and toxic solvents, it is compatible with fragile supports such as untreated cotton. The UiO-66-NH₂-fabric composite formed using treated polypropylene (PP) attains a BET specific surface area of 360 m² g^-1 _comp. Remarkably, the mesoporous UiO-66-NH₂-composites exhibit a pore volume as large as 0.2 cm³ g^-1 _comp, 33% in the mesoporous range, which is higher than other previous reports. Practically, the mesoporous UiO-66-NH₂-treated PP composite enhances the rate of methyl paraoxon (DMNP) degradation, showing a t_1/2 value that is 15 times faster than microporous UiO-66-NH₂ composites measured under the same conditions. Similar trends are observed in the degradation of actual nerve agents. These composites hold significant potential across diverse applications, including filtration, protection, and catalysis.