Green Synthesis of a Functionalized Zirconium-Based Metal–Organic Framework for Water and Ethanol Adsorption

Aqueous synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) at room temperature offers many advantages such as reduction in the generation of toxic byproducts and operation costs, as well as increased safety in the material’s production. Functional group-bearing MOFs have received growing attention compared to nonfunctionalized analogues due to enhanced adsorption properties of the former in many cases. Here, we report an aqueous solution-based synthesis of a robust zirconium MOF, UiO-66-NO2, at room temperature. We evaluated the phase purity, porosity, thermal stability, particle morphology and size of the resulting material. High uptake, as well as near complete recyclability of water and ethanol vapor isotherms at room temperature supports the potential of UiO-66-NO2 as a solid adsorbent in adsorption-based cooling applications or water harvesting systems.