Anion Adsorption Mechanisms in Metal-Organic Frameworks
Summary
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a versatile platform for selective anion uptake owing to their highly ordered pore structures, tunable chemistry and structural diversity. By integrating positively charged metal nodes or cationic ligands within an extended network, MOFs can engage anions through electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions. Post-synthetic modification further refines pore surface properties to enhance affinity, selectivity and stability under harsh conditions. Mechanistic studies reveal that anion adsorption often proceeds via exchange with framework counterions, direct binding to open metal sites or encapsulation within functionalised cavities. Dynamic frameworks display anion-induced conformational changes that optimise host–guest complementarity and uptake kinetics. The interplay between pore size, charge distribution and functional group density dictates capacity, selectivity and regeneration performance. These properties underpin applications ranging from water decontamination and resource recovery to radionuclide sequestration and chemical sensing, highlighting the global significance of MOF-based anion adsorbents for environmental and industrial challenges.
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Anion Adsorption Mechanisms in Metal-Organic Frameworks publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in anion adsorption mechanisms in metal-organic frameworks across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Metal-organic framework (MOF): A crystalline network of metal nodes and organic linkers forming porous structures.
Anion exchange: Replacement of framework counterions by target anions driven by electrostatic attraction.
Perrhenate/pertechnetate: Oxoanions ReO₄⁻/TcO₄⁻ notable for low charge density and relevance in nuclear waste.
Sorption capacity: Maximum amount of adsorbate taken up per unit mass of sorbent.
Hydrolytic stability: Resistance of a material to structural degradation in aqueous environments.
Kinetics: Rate at which adsorption equilibrium is reached.
Selectivity: Preference of an adsorbent for a target anion over competing species.
References
- Creation of Cationic Polymeric Nanotrap Featuring High Anion Density and Exceptional Alkaline Stability for Highly Efficient Pertechnetate Removal from Nuclear Waste Streams. ACS Central Science (2024).
- Functional Carbon Capsules Supporting Ruthenium Nanoclusters for Efficient Electrocatalytic 99TcO4−/ReO4− Removal from Acidic and Alkaline Nuclear Wastes. Advanced Science (2023).
- Task-Specific Tailored Cationic Polymeric Network with High Base-Resistance for Unprecedented 99TcO4 – Cleanup from Alkaline Nuclear Waste. ACS Central Science (2021).
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