Mesoporous separation membranes of {[Cu(BTC-H2)2•(H2O)2]•3H2O} nanobelts synthesized by ultrasonication at room temperature

Copper and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid complex {[Cu(BTC-H-2)(2)center dot(H2O) 2]? 3H2O} nanobelts were successfully prepared in aqueous solution at low temperature by mixing ultra- thin, highly positively charged copper hydroxide nanostrands with 1,3,5- benzenetricarboxylic acid for the first time. These nanobelts have a thickness of about 15 nm, width of 200- 300 nm, and length of several micrometers. We found that the copper hydroxide nanostrands play the key role for the formation of these nanobelts. The effects of the synthesis parameters were investigated in detail. Due to their thin thickness, high aspect ratio and nice dispersion in solution, these {[Cu(BTC-H-2)(2)center dot(H2O)(2)]center dot 3H(2)O} nanobelts were successfully assembled into mesoporous membranes by filtration techniques. These {[Cu(BTC-H-2)(2)center dot(H2O)(2)]center dot 3H(2)O} nanobelts membranes demonstrated 96% rejection for 5 nm nanoparticles with flux of 4506 L m(-2) h(-1) bar(-1) and were stable at pH 3. The separation performance of these membranes is 5 to 10 times higher than that of the commercial membranes with similar rejections. This method may provide a method for the synthesis of metal-organic complex nanostructures by using metal hydroxide nanostrands as precursors and extend their application for nanoparticle separation from water.