A breathing A4 paper by in situ growth of green metal–organic frameworks for air freshening and cleaning

Surface modification of natural cellulose fibers with nanomaterials is an effective strategy for producing functional textiles for multiple applications. A4-sized printing paper is a commonly used, cheap, and easily acquirable office supply which is mainly made of cellulose fibers. Here, we report green and simple nanofabrication of A4 paper to endow it with high capability for fragrance encapsulation and sustained release, and strong adsorption to indoor air pollutants. The method utilizes the sugar molecule of cellulose for in-situ growth of γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) on A4 paper. The obtained γ-CD-MOF/A4 nanocomposites have superior specific surface area and high porous structure. The γ-CD-MOF/A4 nanocomposites can effectively encapsulate fragrant molecules through host–guest interaction. The γ-CD-MOF/A4 nanocomposites also show strong absorption capability to formaldehyde and carbon dioxide through the formation of hydrogen bonding and chemical bonds. These γ-CD-MOF/A4 nanocomposites combine the advantages of both A4 paper and γ-CD-MOF, which can be used in indoor air freshening and cleaning.