MOF–cation exchange resin composites and their use for water decontamination

Macroporous cation exchange resin beads were subjected to hydrothermal treatment in a ZIF-8 yielding solution, resulting in resin beads–MOF composite. The resin beads were employed as a shaping template, providing carrier and support for the growth of MOF crystals. The conditions of synthesis were optimized so as to obtain maximum MOF loading. The final composites and their intermediates were characterized with complementary physicochemical methods, including XRD, SEM, thermal analysis (TG) and nitrogen sorption. The obtained composites were employed for water decontamination by targeting a dye (methyl blue) and a medical (antibiotic) contaminant. The composite adsorbent showed excellent recyclable removal ability, and exceeded the performance of its building components, i.e., the cation exchange beads and pure ZIF-8 material.