One-step preparation of Ag0-MOF composites for effective removal of iodide from water

Herein, UiO-66-(OH)2 (UiO-66 is University of Oslo 66) was utilized as a reduction precursor to prepare AgNPs-loaded metal-organic framework, Ag0-UiO-66-(OH)2. The as-prepared material keeps intact framework after the reaction and owns homogeneously distributed zero-valent Ag nanoparticles with a uniform size of 5–10 ​nm. Benefited from the feature of nano-silver particles, the adsorbent exhibits a high adsorption capacity of iodide (531.98 ​mg ​g−1) and relatively fast adsorption kinetics (∼3 ​h for adsorption equilibrium). Notably, this capacity is higher than that of the unmodified sample and other reported adsorbents. Acidic pH can promote the adsorption and co-existing ions have weak interferences. Besides, the adsorption of iodide in Ag0-UiO-66-(OH)2 was found to be irreversible, promoting the deep burial treatment of this radioactive substance. Thus, Ag0-UiO-66-(OH)2 possesses promising potential in removing radioactive I−. Meanwhile, ascribed to the facile and green preparation process, this one-step method can be considered as an effective strategy for novel adsorbents preparation.