Amino-functionalized MIL-100(Fe) enhanced TNT capture and degradation via synergistic electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bond

Nitro-aromatic compounds constitute predominant explosive materials extensively utilized in military applications and industrial blasting operations. However, the manufacturing, consumption, and decommissioning of these explosives generate significant quantities of wastewater exhibiting both ecotoxicological hazards and explosive potential. Herein, an amino-functionalized MIL-100(Fe) (AFM) catalyst demonstrating simultaneously enhanced explosive capture and degradation is developed. The synergistic interplay of electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding between the amino groups of AFM and nitro groups of nitro-aromatic explosive confer exceptional binding affinity. The optimized AFM exhibits a remarkable 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) adsorption of 14.93 mg/g, which is 3.6 times of unmodified MIL-100(Fe). In photo-Fenton reactions, the optimized AFM completely degrades TNT within 30 min, and achieves a mineralization efficiency as high as 96.7 %. Moreover, the AFM exhibits excellent stability, retaining a high TNT degradation efficiency of 97.7 % after five consecutive cycles. The currently designed AFM catalyst possessing fascinating explosive affinity and high explosive mineralization efficiency is expected to advance sustainable remediation of high-risk explosive wastewater.