Context: Porous coordination polymers, or MOFs, are a class of porous materials exhibiting a large specific surface area and vast possibilities of functionalization, making them very promising candidates for adsorption and catalysis applications. In particular, MOF UiO-66-NH2 has excellent performance for the storage of methane or the trapping of iodine.

In collaboration with IRSN and the MATHYB-UCCS team, the UPCAT cluster has made it possible to prepare batches of MOF UiO-66-NH2 granules without binder, with a specific surface area greater than the powder as it is. Although their mechanical strength is low (<1 N), these granules could be used for the capture of radionuclides under conditions close to a nuclear accident and without observed release.

Preparation: Using a 8 L Hastelloy 316L autoclave, 110 g of MOF UiO-66-NH2 were produced under hydrothermal conditions, representing a material yield of 86%. The powder was transferred into a high-speed granulator, and the granulation was carried out by spraying a water / ethanol mixture. After sieving and drying, 60 g of granules with a size between 0.5 and 1.4 mm were obtained.

More information can be found in the article published in Journal of Hazardous Materials.