A Pyridine-Containing 3D Metal–Organic Framework for Iodine Capture

The effective capture of radioactive iodine (I 2 ) is crucial for the sustainable development of nuclear energy. Functionalized metal–organic frameworks have demonstrated broad applicability in gas adsorption, with I 2 capture receiving significant attention in recent studies. In this study, we report a pyridine-containing zinc-based MOF (Zn-MOF-bpe) synthesized via a straightforward one-step hydrothermal method. Benefiting from the nitrogen-rich pyridine functionalities, this material exhibits exceptional performance in vapor I 2 adsorption with a capacity of 4.49 g g –1 at 75 °C. We investigated the thermal stability of Zn-MOF-bpe, along with its iodine adsorption performance under varying temperature and humidity conditions and its retention capacity and recyclability after I 2 adsorption. The results demonstrate the material’s outstanding iodine capture performance. Furthermore, the Zn-MOF-bpe/PVP nanofiber membrane was successfully fabricated on porous Al 2 O 3 ceramics using electrospinning technology, demonstrating its effective application in I 2 adsorption. The incorporated nitrogen active sites not only enhance the interactions between the adsorbent and I 2 but also facilitate the conversion of I 2 to polyiodides. The outstanding adsorption performance of Zn-MOF-bpe provides a rational pathway for developing high-efficiency MOF-based I 2 capture materials.