Green synthesis of defect-regulated Zr-MOFs for rapid capture of p-arsanilic acid from aqueous solutions

Green synthesis of defective Zr‑MOFs employed mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) as a modulator. • MAA dosage regulated framework defects, pore structure, and surface properties. • The optimized DPM-2 achieves a high adsorption capacity of 356.4 mg·g⁻¹ with equilibrium reached within 60 min. • Electrostatic, chemical, and hydrogen‑bonding interactions collectively enhanced p-ASA adsorption. Defect modulation is an effective strategy for optimizing the pore architecture and active-site accessibility of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, a series of defective Zr-MOFs was synthesized in an aqueous medium using mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) as an acid modulator and is denoted as DPM-X (DUT-67(PZDC)-MAA-X, where X denotes the volume of MAA added). Structural characterization revealed that the MAA dosage played a key role in regulating framework defect formation, thereby altering the pore characteristics and surface chemical properties of the synthesized MOFs. Benefiting from abundant adsorption sites and a special pore structure, DPM-2 exhibited a high uptake of 356.4 mg·g −1 for p-ASA and reached equilibrium within only 60 min. Moreover, the material showed remarkable resistance to interference from coexisting ions and retained excellent regeneration performance during repeated use. The adsorption mechanism involves the synergistic action of electrostatic attraction, chemical bonding, and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The proposed green defect-engineering strategy provides an effective route to regulate the structural properties of Zr-MOFs, offering a practical approach to tailoring pore structure, surface chemistry, and adsorption performance. Download: Download high-res image (162KB) Download: Download full-size image Mercaptoacetic acid-modulated defect-engineered Zr-MOFs for rapid and high-capacity p-arsanilic acid removal