Hexane isomers sorption on a functionalized metal-organic framework

A series of functionalized porous Zr terephthalate MOFs of the UiO-66(Zr) structure type bearing either Br, NH2 or NO2 groups have been synthesized at the multi-gram scale through an atmospheric pressure solvothermal route with the final aim of investigating the influence of functionalization on the separation of hexane isomers (22DMB, 23DMB, 3MP and nHEX). The studies performed in a fixed bed adsorption column with equimolar mixtures at temperatures between 343 and 423 K and partial pressure up to 10 kPa have shown that the Br, NO2 and NH3 forms exhibit an uptake reaching 15%, being the sorption selectivity hierarchy on the whole comparable to the bared UiO-66 solid: 22DMB approximate to 23DMB >> 3MP nHEX. The 22DMB/nHEX selectivity reaches approximately three at low uptake while the 22DMB/3MP selectivity of UiO-66_NO2 is nearly constant (1.3)

Functionalization of metal-organic frameworks for hexane isomers separation

This work shows the effect of incorporating three different organic ligands (NH2-H2BDC, NO2-H2BDC and Br-H2BDC) into UIO-66(Zr) framework viewing the separation of hexane isomers(22DMB, 23DMB, 3MP and nHEX)

Functionalization of metal-organic frameworks for hexane isomers separation

This work shows the effect of incorporating three different organic ligands (NH2-H2BDC, NO2-H2BDC and Br-H2BDC) into UIO-66(Zr) framework viewing the separation of hexane isomers(22DMB, 23DMB, 3MP and nHEX)

Reverse shape selectivity in the adsorption of hexane and xylene isomers in MOF UiO-66

An adsorption study of hexane and xylene isomers mixtures was addressed in a rigid zirconium terephthalate UiO-66 (UiO for University of Oslo) with octahedral and tetrahedral cavities of free diameter close to 1.1 nm and 0.8 nm, respectively. Multicomponent equimolar breakthrough experiments show that the adsorption hierarchy of structural isomers in UiO-66 is opposite to the one observed in conventional adsorbents. For hexane isomers, it was found that the amount adsorbed increases with the degree of branching, being 2,2-dimethylbutane (22DMB) and 2,3-dimethylbutane (23DMB) the more retained molecules. Regarding the xylene isomers, the results show that the adsorption of the bulkier ortho-xylene(oX) is favoured compared to its homologues. The structural similarity between MOF UiO-66 and zeolite MCM-22 suggests that the reverse shape selectivity observed in the adsorption of hexane and xylene isomers might be attributed to the rotational freedom of the molecules inside the small cavities

GraftFast surface engineering to improve MOF nanoparticles furtiveness

Controlling the outer surface of nanometric metal–organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) and further understanding the in vivo effect of the coated material are crucial for the convenient biomedical applications of MOFs. However, in most studies, the surface modification protocol is often associated with significant toxicity and/or lack of selectivity. As an alternative, how the highly selective and general grafting GraftFast method leads, through a green and simple process, to the successful attachment of multifunctional biopolymers (polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hyaluronic acid) on the external surface of nanoMOFs is reported. In particular, effectively PEGylated iron trimesate MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit suitable grafting stability and superior chemical and colloidal stability in different biofluids, while conserving full porosity and allowing the adsorption of bioactive molecules (cosmetic and antitumor agents). Furthermore, the nature of the MOF–PEG interaction is deeply investigated using high-resolution soft X-ray spectroscopy. Finally, a cell penetration study using the radio-labeled antitumor agent gemcitabine monophosphate (3H-GMP)-loaded MIL-100(Fe)@PEG NPs shows reduced macrophage phagocytosis, confirming a significant in vitro PEG furtiveness.Agence Nationale de la Recherche | Ref. ANR‐10‐LABX‐0035Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. ENE2016-79608-C2-1-

Fecal Contamination of Shallow Tubewells in Bangladesh Inversely Related to Arsenic

The health risks of As exposure due to the installation of millions of shallow tubewells in the Bengal Basin are known, but fecal contamination of shallow aquifers has not systematically been examined. This could be a source of concern in densely populated areas with poor sanitation because the hydraulic travel time from surface water bodies to shallow wells that are low in As was previously shown to be considerably shorter than for shallow wells that are high in As. In this study, 125 tubewells 6−36 m deep were sampled in duplicate for 18 months to quantify the presence of the fecal indicator Escherichia coli. On any given month, E. coli was detected at levels exceeding 1 most probable number per 100 mL in 19−64% of all shallow tubewells, with a higher proportion typically following periods of heavy rainfall. The frequency of E. coli detection averaged over a year was found to increase with population surrounding a well and decrease with the As content of a well, most likely because of downward transport of E. coli associated with local recharge. The health implications of higher fecal contamination of shallow tubewells, to which millions of households in Bangladesh have switched in order to reduce their exposure to As, need to be evaluated

Cytotoxicity of nanoscaled metal–organic frameworks

A series of fourteen porous Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with different compositions (Fe, Zn, and Zr; carboxylates or imidazolates) and structures have been successfully synthesised at the nanoscale and fully characterised by XRPD, FTIR, TGA, N2 porosimetry, TEM, DLS and z-potential. Their toxicological assessment was performed using two different cell lines: human epithelial cells from foetal cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and murine macrophage cell line (J774). It appears that MOF nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit low cytotoxicity, comparable to those of other commercialised nanoparticulate systems, the less toxic being the Fe carboxylate and the more toxic being the zinc imidazolate NPs. The cytotoxicity values, higher in J774 cells than in HeLa cells, are mainly function of their composition and cell internalisation capacity. Finally, cell uptake of one of the most relevant Fe-MOF-NPs for drug vectorisation has been investigated by confocal microscopy studies, and indicates a faster kinetics of cell penetration within J774 compared to HeLa cells

Unsealed tubewells lead to increased fecal contamination of drinking water

Bangladesh is underlain by shallow aquifers in which millions of drinking water wells are emplaced without annular seals. Fecal contamination has been widely detected in private tubewells. To evaluate the impact of well construction on microbial water quality 35 private tubewells (11 with intact cement platforms, 19 without) and 17 monitoring wells (11 with the annulus sealed with cement, 6 unsealed) were monitored for cultured E. coli over 18 months. Additionally, two “snap shot” sampling events were performed on a subset of wells during late-dry and early-wet seasons, wherein the fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) E. coli, Bacteroidales and the pathogenicity genes eltA (ETEC E. coli), ipaH (Shigella) and 40/41 hexon (adenovirus) were detected using qPCR. No difference in E. coli detection frequency was found between tubewells with and without platforms. Unsealed private wells, however, contained cultured E. coli more frequently and higher concentrations of FIB than sealed monitoring wells (p<0.05), suggestive of rapid downward flow along unsealed annuli. As a group the pathogens ETEC, Shigella and adenovirus were detected more frequently (10/22) during the wet season than the dry season (2/20). This suggests proper sealing of private tubewell annuli may lead to substantial improvements in microbial drinking water quality