Efficient synthesis of MOF-808 nanoparticles for rapid hydrolysis of V-series nerve agent simulant

The degradation of nerve agents is essential due to their high toxicity and lethality. The Zr-based metal–organic framework MOF-808 has emerged as a promising catalyst for the destruction of nerve agents and their simulants. However, its efficient synthesis is still a great challenge. In this study, we reported a convenient method for rapidly preparing MOF-808 nanoparticles in a rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor using high-gravity technology. Compared to a conventional stirred tank reactor, the preparation time of MOF-808 in the RPB was greatly shortened from 12 h to 30 min, while the mean particle size was obviously decreased by about 74 %. The obtained MOF-808 nanoparticles exhibited excellent catalytic performance for the hydrolysis of the nerve agent simulant O, O-diethyl S-phenyl phosphorothioate (DEPPT). Particularly, the 339 nm MOF-808 can rapidly degrade DEPPT with a half-life (t 1/2 ) of 4.36 min and an equilibrium degradation rate of 92.6 % at a dosage of 2.5 mg, respectively 1.5 and 1.25 times higher than those of 1.3 µm MOF-808 (t 1/2  = 6.36 min, 74.3 %). Furthermore, the DEPPT degradation mechanism was elucidated through a combination of experimental studies and density functional theory calculations. This work provides valuable insights into the efficient synthesis of nano-MOFs with enhanced catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of nerve agents.