Synthesis of Thiol Functionalized MOF‐808 and its Efficiency for Mercury Removal

A thiol‐functionalized MOF‐808 was produced and used to remove mercury by post‐synthetic modification using 6‐mercaponicotinic acid (6mna). Parent MOF‐808 was impregnated for varied periods in the 6mna solution to create modified MOF‐808 materials, known as MOF‐808‐6mna‐x, where x refers to the impregnation time. Diffraction and several spectroscopic techniques were employed to quantify and confirm the coordination of 6mna into MOF‐808 framework. The amount of grafted 6man and the ability for adsorption of mercury (Hg) was shown to be linearly associated; the functionalized MOF‐808‐6mna‐36 demonstrated improved Hg(II) removal, with an adsorption capacity of 250 mg/g.