Development and Analytical Assessment of L‐Serine Functionalized ZIF‐8‐NH ₂ via Green One‐Pot Synthesis for Efficient Chromium (VI) Adsorption in Wastewater

ABSTRACT

In this work, we report a cost‐effective and environmental approach for Cr (VI) removal with the help of a green synthesis method and without the use of toxic solvents and post‐synthetic procedures. ZIF‐8 was modified with L‐serine (ZIF‐8‐NH ₂ ) through a facile single‐step synthesis procedure via an ethanol/water solvent system. The use of L‐serine, which is a natural amino acid, led to the presence of abundant amino and carboxyl functional groups in the structure of ZIF‐8, thus increasing the affinity of ZIF‐8 toward Cr (VI). Characterizations of synthesized ZIF‐8‐NH ₂ were performed through XRD, FTIR, SEM, and BET surface area measurements in order to study its crystal structure, functionalization, and porous properties. Batch sorption studies showed that synthesized ZIF‐8‐NH ₂ could be considered as an efficient adsorbent for Cr (VI) removal at pH 7, exhibiting the maximum adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of 90.2 ± 0.10 mg/g and 98.0% ± 0.10%, respectively.