Hybrid sponges with aluminium-fumarate MOFs for water remediation

The purpose of this thesis is the synthesis and characterization of novel hybrid porous sponges derived from a polymeric gelatin matrix, incorporating aluminium-fumarate based metal organic framework (MOF), commercially known as Basolite® A520, as modifying agent to effectively eliminate pollutants from aqueous environments. The synthesis of the hybrid materials was carried out via a green aqueous route thanks to the stability of aluminium-fumarate in water and using aluminium salts and fumaric acid as inexpensive and commercially available reagents. The hybrid materials synthesized in the laboratory were characterized through several complementary techniques, including Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), porosity analysis, swelling and compressive strength tests. The adsorption performance of MOF-gelatin hybrid sponges was investigated using Direct Red 81 (DR81), a toxic synthetic azo dye, through kinetic and isotherm modelling and under different conditions, including agitation time, solution pH and initial Direct Red 81 concentration. Reusability and coexisting experiment results suggest that the novel hybrid porous sponges have the potential for practical applications, supporting a closed-loop approach in alignment with circular economy principles.