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

Author

Listed:
  • Ranwen Ou

    (Monash University
    Xiamen University)

  • Huacheng Zhang

    (Monash University)

  • Vinh X. Truong

    (Monash University
    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
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • George P. Simon

    (Monash University)

  • Huanting Wang

    (Monash University)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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 & Huanting Wang, 2020. "A sunlight-responsive metal–organic framework system for sustainable water desalination," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(12), pages 1052-1058, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:12:d:10.1038_s41893-020-0590-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-0590-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Lijuan Feng & Yihui Yuan & Bingjie Yan & Tiantian Feng & Yaping Jian & Jiacheng Zhang & Wenyan Sun & Ke Lin & Guangsheng Luo & Ning Wang, 2022. "Halogen hydrogen-bonded organic framework (XHOF) constructed by singlet open-shell diradical for efficient photoreduction of U(VI)," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Chao Li & Yi Zhai & Heming Jiang & Siqi Li & Pengxiang Liu & Longcheng Gao & Lei Jiang, 2024. "Bioinspired light-driven chloride pump with helical porphyrin channels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Lei Zhang & Run-Han Li & Xiao-Xin Li & Shengyao Wang & Jiang Liu & Xiao-Xuan Hong & Long-Zhang Dong & Shun-Li Li & Ya-Qian Lan, 2024. "Photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of C(sp3)-H bonds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Shuqi Xu & Alice J. Hutchinson & Mahdiar Taheri & Ben Corry & Juan F. Torres, 2024. "Thermodiffusive desalination," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Qing Guo & Zhuozhi Lai & Xiuhui Zuo & Weipeng Xian & Shaochun Wu & Liping Zheng & Zhifeng Dai & Sai Wang & Qi Sun, 2023. "Photoelectric responsive ionic channel for sustainable energy harvesting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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