Skip to main content

3D printing of cellulose/leaf-like zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (CelloZIF-L) for adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) and heavy metal ions

Research Authors
Hani Nasser Abdelhamid, Sahar Sultan, Aji P. Mathew
Research Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have advanced several technologies. However, it is difficult to market MOFs without processing them into a commercialized structure, causing an unnecessary delay in the material's use. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) printing of cellulose/leaf-like zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-L), denoted as CelloZIF-L, is reported via direct ink writing (DIW, robocasting). Formulating CelloZIF-L into 3D objects can dramatically affect the material's properties and, consequently, its adsorption efficiency. The 3D printing process of CelloZIF-L is simple and can be applied via direct printing into a solution of calcium chloride. The synthesis procedure enables the formation of CelloZIF-L with a ZIF content of 84%. 3D printing enables the integration of macroscopic assembly with microscopic properties, i.e., the formation of the hierarchical structure of CelloZIF-L with different shapes, such as cubes and filaments, with 84% loading of ZIF-L. The materials adsorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and heavy metals. 3D CelloZIF-L exhibited a CO2 adsorption capacity of 0.64–1.15 mmol g−1 at 1 bar (0 °C). The materials showed Cu2+ adsorption capacities of 389.8 ± 14–554.8 ± 15 mg g−1. They displayed selectivities of 86.8%, 6.7%, 2.4%, 0.93%, 0.61%, and 0.19% toward Fe3+, Al3+, Co2+, Cu2+, Na+, and Ca2+, respectively. The simple 3D printing procedure and the high adsorption efficiencies reveal the promising potential of our materials for industrial applications.

Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Dalton Transaction
Research Member
Research Publisher
RSC
Research Rank
Q1
Research Vol
52
Research Website
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/dt/d2dt04168e
Research Year
2023
Research Pages
2988-2998