MOF-Polymer Mixed Matrix Membranes as Chemical Protective Layers for Solid-Phase Detoxification of Toxic Organophosphates

Zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have been demonstrated as potent catalysts for the hydrolytic detoxification of organo-phosphorus nerve agents and their simulants. However, the practical implementa-tion of these Zr-MOFs is limited by the poor processability of their powdered form and the necessity of water media buffered by a volatile liquid base in the catalytic reaction. Herein, we demonstrate the efficient solid-state hydrolysis of a nerve agent simulant (dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate, DMNP) catalyzed by Zr-MOF-based mixed matrix membranes. The mixed matrix membranes were fabricated by incorporating MOF-808 into the blending matrix of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), and imidazole (Im), in which MOF-808 provides highly active catalytic sites, the hydrophilic PVP helps to retain water for promoting the hydrolytic reaction, and Im serves as a base for catalytic site regeneration. Impressively, the mixed matrix membranes displayed excellent catalytic performance for the solid-state hydrolysis of DMNP under high humidity, representing a significant step toward the practical application of Zr-MOFs in chemical protective layers against nerve agents.

Automated summary

In this study, mixed matrix membranes were prepared by incorporating Zr-MOFs into polymer matrices, wherein MOF-808 provides highly active catalytic sites, hydrophilic PVP helps retain water for promoting hydrolytic reaction, and Im serves as a base for catalytic site regeneration. The mixed matrix membranes exhibited excellent catalytic performance for the solid-state hydrolysis of DMNP under high humidity, representing a significant step towards the practical application of Zr-MOFs in chemical protective layers against nerve agents.