Enhanced Methylene Blue Adsorption by Cu-BTC Metal-Organic Frameworks with Engineered Particle Size Using Surfactant Modulators

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) featuring porous structures and large specific surface areas have shown great potential in removing organic pollutants from wastewater via adsorption processes. Although the particle size of MOFs determines performance (something known as size-dependent effect), engineering it into desirable dimensions for enhancing is a challenge. Here, we develop practical facile approach to regulate copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) adsorbents with high tunability by screening functional modulator various surfactants adding hydrothermal synthesis procedure. The effect surfactant type concentration on Cu-BTC was systematically investigated. results show that nonionic polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) demonstrated greatest ability control among other counterparts (e.g., N, N-trimethyl-1-dodecanaminium bromide (DTAB), polyethylene glycol (PEG1000), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), benzene sulfonate (SDBS) hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium (CTAB)). By increasing PVP 0.14 mmol L−1, average could be correspondingly reduced more than ten times, reaching comparative smaller value 2.4 μm compared reported counterparts. In addition, allowed increase area according porosity analysis, resulting enhancement methylene blue (MB) adsorption. PVP-modulated showed fast kinetics MB removal accompanied maximum capacity 169.2 mg g−1, which considerably competitive most analogs reported. Therefore, our study may inspire concepts Cu-BTCs improved properties applications.