Novel Zn metal–organic framework with the thiazole sites for fast and efficient removal of heavy metal ions from water

Abstract

Abstract Pollution of water by heavy metal ions such as Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ is considered as an important issue, because of the potential toxic effects these ions impose on environmental ecosystems and human health. A new Zn-based metal–organic framework, [Zn 2 (DPTTZ) (OBA) 2 ] ( IUST-2 ), was synthesized through a solvothermal method by the reaction of 2, 5-di (4- pyridyl) thiazolo [5, 4-d] thiazole ligand (DPTTZ), the “V-shape” 4,4'-oxybis (benzoic acid) ligand (OBA) and zinc nitrate (Zn(NO 3 ) 2 ·6H 2 O). This novel MOF has been characterized by several analysis techniques such as fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis (EA), powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD). This 3D MOF was tested for removing Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ ions from water. The factors that were investigated on the elimination of Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ ions were of pH, adsorption time, and the effect of initial ions concentration. According to the results, this particular Zn-MOF had significant performance in eliminating Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ ions from water with a removal efficiency of more than 97% and 87% within 3 min, respectively.