Adsorption of selected dyes on Ti3C2Tx MXene and Al-based metal-organic framework

Abstract MXene and metal organic framework (MOF) were used as the main adsorbents to remove synthetic dyes from model wastewater. Methylene blue (MB) and acid blue 80 (AB) were used as the model cationic and anionic synthetic dyes, respectively. To investigate the physicochemical properties of the adsorbents used, we carried out several characterizations using microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, a porosimetry, and a zeta potential analyzer. The surface area of MXene and MOF was 9 and 630 m2 g−1, respectively, and their respective isoelectric points were approximately pH 3 and 9. Thus, MXene and MOF exhibited high capacity for MB (~140 mg g−1) and AB (~200 mg g−1) adsorption, respectively due to their electrostatic attractions when the concentrations of the adsorbents and adsorbates were 25 and 10 mg L−1. Furthermore, the MOF was able to capture the MB due mainly to hydrophobic interactions. In terms of the advantages of each adsorbent according to our experimental results, MXene exhibited fast kinetics and high selectivity. Meanwhile, the MOF had a high adsorption capacity for both MB and AB. The adsorption mechanisms of both adsorbents for the removal of MB and AB were clearly explained by the results of our analyses of solution pH, ionic strength, and the presence of divalent cation, anion, or humic acids, as well as other characterizations (i.e., Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). According to our results, MOF and MXene can be used as economical treatments for wastewater containing organic pollutants regardless of charge (e.g., MB and AB), and positively charged one (e.g., MB), respectively.