A facile synthesis of 2D iron bridged trimesic acid based MOFs for superior nitrate and phosphate retention

The surplus concentration levels of phosphate (PO43-) and nitrate (NO3-) in potable water sources lead to eutrophication and methemoglobinemia. Currently, the selective adsorbents were applied on the basis of enriched porous nature along with the highly open metal sites. Hence, the present study was planned to develop iron(III) linked trimesic acid (FTA) as two dimensional (2D) metal organic frameworks (MOFs) (FTA MOFs) for the rapid removal of soluble fertilizers. The developed 2D FTA MOFs possesses the enhanced adsorption capacities of 55.021 +/- 0.03 and 72.342 +/- 0.01 mg/g towards NO3- and PO43- respectively. Thermal property, crystallinity, functional groups, porous surface nature and elemental formation of FTA MOFs was explored using TGA, XRD, DTA, FTIR, BET and EDAX. The formation of surface complex and electrostatic attraction was governed during adsorption process. The nature of nitrate and phosphate adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic. The FTA MOFs showed the good results by studying with the collected water which ensures field suitability. The proposed FTA MOFs acts as beneficial and reusable tool for fertilizers adsorption in field environment.

Automated summary

This study developed a two-dimensional metal organic framework (FTA MOFs) for the rapid removal of phosphate and nitrate from potable water sources. The FTA MOFs showed enhanced adsorption capacities for nitrate and phosphate, and the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The study confirmed the suitability and reusability of the FTA MOFs in field environments.