A sunlight-responsive metal–organic framework system for sustainable water desalination

Ranwen Ou, Huacheng Zhang, Vinh X. Truong, Lian Zhang, Hanaa M. Hegab, Li Han, Jue Hou, Xiwang Zhang, Ana Deletic, Lei Jiang, George P. Simon and Huanting Wang ()
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Ranwen Ou: Monash University
Huacheng Zhang: Monash University
Vinh X. Truong: Monash University
Lian Zhang: Monash University
Hanaa M. Hegab: Monash University
Li Han: Zhengzhou University
Jue Hou: Monash University
Xiwang Zhang: Monash University
Ana Deletic: The University of New South Wales
Lei Jiang: Monash University
George P. Simon: Monash University
Huanting Wang: Monash University

Nature Sustainability, 2020, vol. 3, issue 12, 1052-1058

Abstract: Abstract Light-responsive materials with high adsorption capacity and sunlight-triggered regenerability are highly desired for their low-cost and environmentally friendly industrial separation processes. Here we report a poly(spiropyran acrylate) (PSP) functionalized metal–organic framework (MOF) as a sunlight-regenerable ion adsorbent for sustainable water desalination. Under dark conditions, the zwitterionic isomer quickly adsorbs multiple cations and anions from water within 30 minutes, with high ion adsorption loadings of up to 2.88 mmol g−1 of NaCl. With sunlight illumination, the neutral isomer rapidly releases these adsorbed salts within 4 minutes. Single-column desalination experiments demonstrated that PSP–MOF works efficiently for water desalination. A freshwater yield of 139.5 l kg−1 d−1 and a low energy consumption of 0.11 Wh l−1 would be reached for desalinating 2,233 ppm synthetic brackish water. Importantly, this adsorbent shows excellent stability and cycling performance. This work opens up a new direction for designing stimuli-responsive materials for energy-efficient and sustainable desalination and water purification.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-0590-x

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