A redox-active covalent organic framework for the efficient detection and removal of hydrazine

Abstract The removal and detection of soluble hydrazine is of importance due to its harm to soil and subterranean water, but challenging. Herein, we preferentially disposed a porous and redox active covalent-organic framework (DAAQ-TFP COF, denoted as DQ−COF) to simultaneously removal and detect hydrazine. Electroactive sites (anthraquinone units) can be intelligently incorporated into the channel walls/pores of COF. DQ−COF has high crystallinity and good thermal stability, and DQ−COF dropped onto nickel matrix (DQ−COF/Ni composite) still retains high surface area, characterized by PXRD, FT-IR, nitrogen adsorption and TGA. Subsequently, a detailed study of DQ−COF towards hydrazine uptake and detection potentials is explored. DQ−COF as adsorbent unfolds strong removal ability towards hydrazine, the maximum removal capacity of which is up to 1108 mg g−1, following Friedrich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Meanwhile, the DQ−COF supported on nickel renders attractive electrochemical properties, which is efficiently responsive to hydrazine at a part per billion (ppb) level, coupled with a wide linear range (0.5 ˜ 1223 μM), low detection limit (0.07 μM) and high anti-interference ability. There is no other COFs with such a favorable capability in synchronous removal and selective detection towards hydrazine, probably applying in superintending water quality and disposing wastewater.