3D Printed Metal Organic Framework Hydrogel for Dye Adsorption and Gas Sensing

Abstract

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have tunable chemical structures, orderly pore structures, and modifiable surface functional groups making them a promising material for environmental remediation. However, their rigid powder morphology poses significant challenges for customizing MOF structures with adjustable mechanical properties. Here, we synthesis the stretchable UV-curable MOF hydrogels through high-resolution digital light processing 3D printing, and evaluated its adsorption effect on seven common dyesand.The results showed that it had selective adsorption effect on methylene blue (MB), and the adsorption effect increased with the increase of the initial concentration of MB: its adsorption capacity on 6 mgL⁻¹, 12 mgL⁻¹ and 24 mgL⁻¹ MB solution reached 13.55 mgg⁻¹, 26.31 mgg⁻¹ and 50.70 mgg⁻¹ respectively. Compared to powdered MOFs, the 3D-printed MOF (Cu-BTC) exhibited superior adsorption for dye and radioactive pollution, with methylene blue adsorption increasing from 8.93 mgg⁻¹ to 25.05 mgg⁻¹ and I₂ adsorption from 141.56 mgg⁻¹ to 792.65 mgg⁻¹. Furthermore, the 3D-printed MOF structure proved easily cleanable with dilute HCl and reusable over five times without degradation. In addition, our study highlighted the suitability of the 3D-printed MOF for CO₂-sensing devices, demonstrating its broad applicability in environmental remediation and sensing technology.