High performance HKUST-1@PVA-co-PE/PVA hybrid hydrogel with enhanced selective adsorption

Abstract The immobilization of metal organic frames (MOFs), HKUST-1, on a hydrogel reinforced with PVA- co -PE nanofiber to realize both high adsorption capability and easy handling was reported. The shape and size of HKUST-1, synthesized by the hydrothermal method , could be well controlled by changing the reaction temperature, ratio of organic ligands and metal ions, as well as the time. The PVA- co -PE/PVA nanofiber hybrid hydrogel loaded with HKUST-1 was used to adsorb various types of dyes. The decoloration ability to cationic dyes was better than that of anionic dyes, reaching up to 96.1%. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics of the HKUST-1 and hybrid hydrogel to a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), were studied. The HKUST-1 and hybrid hydrogel showed similar adsorption ability to MB when the concentration was 100 mg/L and pH value was 2. The results showed that HKUST-1@PVA- co-PE/PVA nanofiber hybrid hydrogel demonstrating promising potential for adsorbing cationic dyes.