A multifunctional double walled zirconium metal–organic framework: high performance for CO₂ adsorption and separation and detecting explosives in the aqueous phase

A rare double walled zirconium metal–organic framework, [Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(DCPB)₆]·2DMF·1H₂O (JLU-Liu45, 1,3-di(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (H₂DCPB)), was successfully constructed. Because of its high connectivity, double wall and interpenetration of the framework, JLU-Liu45 displays extraordinary chemical stability, and is able to maintain an intact framework after being immersed in acid or base solutions. Such a Zr-MOF is also a multifunctional material, which exhibits good capabilities for both CO₂ adsorption and separation and explosives detection in the aqueous phase. Due to the multiple weak C–H⋯O interactions and narrow pores of the framework, JLU-Liu45 displays brilliant CO₂ adsorption (116 cm³ g⁻¹, 1 bar and 273 K) and separation ability (CO₂/N₂ = 81.4, 1 bar and 298 K), surpassing that of state-of-the-art Zr-MOFs reported to date. Additionally, JLU-Liu45 shows high performance in detecting explosives in the aqueous phase, in which the K_SV value towards TNP can reach up to the 10⁵ M⁻¹ level.