Detoxification of Chemical Warfare Agents Using a Zr 6 ‐Based Metal–Organic Framework/Polymer Mixture

High-throughput screening of solid-state catalysts for nerve agent degradation

A high-throughput screening (HTS) method was devised to increase the rate of discovery and evaluation of nerve agent degradation catalysts.

Effect of surface acidity of cyano-bridged polynuclear metal complexes on the catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of organophosphates

Heterogeneous catalysis of cyano-bridged polynuclear metal complexes was examined for the hydrolysis of toxic organophosphates. The surface acidity of cyano-bridged polynuclear metal complexes strongly effects on the catalytic activity.

Smart textiles of MOF/g-C3N4 nanospheres for the rapid detection/detoxification of chemical warfare agents

Smart textiles consisting of cotton, Cu-BTC MOF and oxidized graphitic carbon nitride, g-C₃N₄-ox, nanospheres were synthesized and tested as nerve agent detoxification media and colorimetric detectors. Combining Cu-BTC and g-C₃N₄-ox resulted in a nanocomposite (MOFgCNox) of heterogeneous porosity and chemistry. Upon the deposition of MOFgCNox onto cotton textiles, a stable fabric with a supreme photocatalytic detoxification ability towards the nerve gas surrogate, dimethyl chlorophosphate, was obtained. The detoxification process was accompanied by a visible and gradual color change, which can be used for the selective detection of chemical warfare agents and for monitoring their penetration inside a protective layer. These smart textiles adsorbed almost 7 g of CWA surrogate/its detoxification products per gram of Cu. The superior performance was linked to the high dispersion of the MOF crystals on the fibers, and a specific texture promoting the availability of the active copper centers.

MOF the beaten track: unusual structures and uncommon applications of metal-organic frameworks

Over the past few decades, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have proved themselves as strong contenders in the world of porous materials, standing alongside established classes of compounds such as zeolites and activated carbons. Following extensive investigation into the porosity of these materials and their gas uptake properties, the MOF community are now branching away from these heavily researched areas, and venturing into unexplored avenues. Ranging from novel synthetic routes to post-synthetic functionalisation of frameworks, host-guest properties to sensing abilities, this review takes a sidestep away from increasingly 'traditional' approaches in the field, and details some of the more curious qualities of this relatively young family of materials.

Synthesis of a Zr-Based Metal-Organic Framework with Spirobifluorenetetrabenzoic Acid for the Effective Removal of Nerve Agent Simulants

A new microporous Zr(IV)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) containing 4,4',4″,4‴-(9,9'-spirobi[fluorene]-2,2',7,7'-tetrayl)tetrabenzoic acid (Spirof-MOF) was synthesized, characterized, and size-controlled for the adsorption and decomposition of a nerve agent simulant, dimethyl 4-nitrophenylphosphate (DMNP). Spirof-MOF showed a hydrolysis half-life (t_1/2) of 7.5 min to DMNP, which was confirmed by using in situ ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, size-controlled Spirof-MOFb (∼1 μm) exhibited a half-life of 1.8 min and 99% removal within 18 min for DMNP. The results show that Spirof-MOF is a new active material in removing nerve agent simulants by adsorption and hydrolytic decomposition.

Chemical Warfare Agents Detoxification Properties of Zirconium Metal-Organic Frameworks by Synergistic Incorporation of Nucleophilic and Basic Sites

The development of protective self-detoxifying materials is an important societal challenge to counteract risk of attacks employing highly toxic chemical warfare agents (CWAs). In this work, we have developed bifunctional zirconium metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporating variable amounts of nucleophilic amino residues by means of formation of the mixed ligand [Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(bdc)_6(1-x)(bdc-NH₂)_6x] (UiO-66-xNH₂) and [Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(bpdc)_6(1-x)(bpdc-(NH₂)₂)_6x] (UiO-67-x(NH₂)₂) systems where bdc = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate; bdc-NH₂= benzene-2-amino-1,4-dicarboxylate; bpdc = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate; bpdc-(NH₂)₂ = 2,2'-diamino-4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate and x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1. In a second step, the UiO-66-xNH₂ and UiO-67-x(NH₂)₂ systems have been postsynthetically modified by introduction of highly basic lithium tert-butoxide (LiO^tBu) on the oxohydroxometallic clusters of the mixed ligand MOFs to yield UiO-66-xNH₂@LiO^tBu and UiO-67-x(NH₂)₂@LiO^tBu materials. The results show that the combination of pre and postsynthetic modifications on these MOF series gives rise to fine-tuning of the catalytic activity toward the hydrolytic degradation of both simulants and real CWAs in unbuffered aqueous solutions. Indeed, UiO-66-0.25NH₂@LiO^tBu is able to hydrolyze both CWAs simulants (diisopropylfluorophosphate (DIFP), 2-chloroethylethylsulfide (CEES), and real CWAs (soman (GD), sulfur mustard (HD)) quickly in aqueous solution. These results are related to a suitable combination of robustness, nucleophilicity, basicity, and accessibility to the porous framework.

Metal–organic frameworks for the removal of toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents

Toxic gases can be captured or degraded by metal–organic frameworks.