Sustainable scale-up synthesis of MIL-68(Al) using IPA as solvent for acetic acid capture

Microporous aluminum metal organic framework (Al-MOF) of MIL-68 was synthesized by using low-cost non-carcinogenic solvent isopropanol (IPA) with BET specific surface area measured to be 1698 m2/g. Solvent reusability was also investigated wherein Al-MOFs successfully synthesized using recycled solvent show comparable crystallinity and N2 adsorption with their counterparts synthesized using fresh solvent. The present study achieved 500 times amplification of the original reaction with maintained BET specific surface area. Experimental results show good repeatability and good stability upon exposure to air. To demonstrate its capacity for functional gas adsorption, the synthesized Al-MOF, denoted as MIL-68-IPA, was exposed to high concentrations of acetic acid (AA), wherein it exhibited a capacity of 243.93 ± 27.5 mg/g with a removal rate of 96.6%. At lower concentrations of 100 ppm, it exhibited a removal rate of 100% which shows promising application for removal of AA in the environment. [Display omitted] •Successful replacement of dimethylformamide (DMF) to isopropanol (IPA) in the synthesis of MIL-68(Al).•Solvent re-use was carried out for a more sustainable synthesis.•Scale-up to 500 times magnification was achieved.•Exhibited excellent acetic acid capture even at low environmental AA concentrations.