ZIF-8@Rhodamine B as a Self-Reporting Material for Pollutant Extraction Applications

Herein, we have evaluated the potential of dye-encapsulation as a simple mechanism to self-report the stability of MOFs for pollutant extraction applications. This enabled the visual detection of material stability issues during the selected applications. As proof-of-concept, the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) material was prepared in aqueous medium and at room temperature in the presence of the dye rhodamine B. The total amount of loaded rhodamine B was determined using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The prepared dye-encapsulated ZIF-8 showed a comparable extraction performance with bare ZIF-8 for the removal of hydrophobic endocrine-disrupting phenols, such as 4-tert-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol, and improved the extraction performance of more hydrophilic endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A and 4-tert-butylphenol.

Automated summary

In this study, the potential of dye-encapsulation as a mechanism to self-report the stability of MOFs for pollutant extraction was evaluated. The dye-encapsulated ZIF-8 showed comparable extraction performance with bare ZIF-8 for hydrophobic endocrine-disrupting phenols and improved extraction performance for hydrophilic endocrine disruptors. The method allows for real-time monitoring of material stability issues during the application process.