A nature-inspired hydrogen-bonded supramolecular complex for selective copper ion removal from water

Date Published
07/2020
Publication Type
Journal Article
Authors
DOI
10.1038/s41467-020-17757-6
Abstract

Herein, we present a scalable approach for the synthesis of a hydrogen-bonded organic–inorganic framework via coordination-driven supramolecular chemistry, for efficient remediation of trace heavy metal ions from water. In particular, using copper as our model ion of interest and inspired by nature’s use of histidine residues within the active sites of various copper binding proteins, we design a framework featuring pendant imidazole rings and copper-chelating salicylaldoxime, known as zinc imidazole salicylaldoxime supramolecule. This material is water-stable and exhibits unprecedented adsorption kinetics, up to 50 times faster than state-of-the-art materials for selective copper ion capture from water. Furthermore, selective copper removal is achieved using this material in a pH range that was proven ineffective with previously reported metal–organic frameworks. Molecular dynamics simulations show that this supramolecule can reversibly breathe water through lattice expansion and contraction, and that water is initially transported into the lattice through hopping between hydrogen-bond sites.

Journal
Nature Communications
Volume
11
Year of Publication
2020
Issue
1
Short Title
Nat Commun
Refereed Designation
Refereed
Organizations
Research Areas
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