Improving the DIMP Sorption Capacity Durability of Zirconium Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Coated with Polydimethylsiloxane at High Humidity

Due to the fact that zirconium based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs), such as UiO-66, have a large specific surface area and excellent selective adsorption capacity, Zr-MOFs are gaining attention as materials that can provide protection from the attack of chemical warfare agents in battleground. However, most of the metal-organic frameworks have an issue of selective adsorp-tion capacity degraded by water molecules when exposed to the atmosphere, because of the weak metal-organic ligand bonds and the presence of voids. Therefore, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a representative hydrophobic polymer material, was coated on the surface of UiO-66 to enhance the sustainability of the diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) sorption capacity in the battleground condition. Through the analysis of surface structure and organic functional group distribution of PDMS coated UiO-66, silicon was confirmed to be evenly coated. The contact angle increased by over 30 degrees for the PDMS coated UiO-66, indicating that the hydrophobicity was improved. In addition, both the UiO-66 and PDMS coated UiO-66 were used as adsorbents for DIMP, a similar chemical warfare agent, to investigate the durability of adsorption capacity in a high humidity environ-ment. The PDMS coated UiO-66 showed higher durability of adsorption capacity for 20 days than that of pristine UiO-66.